( Researchers from the University of Sout...)Six previously blind patients detect light, motion, identify objects with retinal prostheses

Researchers from the University of Southern California and the Doheny Eye Institute's Doheny Retina Institute will be presenting data on the first six patients implanted with an intraocular retinal prosthesis-more popularly referred to as an artificial retina-developed and manufactured in partnership with Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., of Sylmar, Calif.

According to Mark Humayun, professor of ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine and the lead investigator on the project, all six of the previously blind patients have been able to detect light, identify objects in their environment, and even perceive motion after implantation with the epiretinal device.

Data collected as of November of 2004 showed that the six patients-who had been implanted with a single prosthesis in their "worse eye" for between 5 and 33 months-were able to "localize the position of, or count the number of, high contrast objects with 74 to 99 percent accuracy," Humayun says. In addition, they could discriminate simple shapes-i.e., figure out the spatial orientation of a bar or the capital letter L-with 61 to 80 percent accuracy.

The researchers also noted that when there is no electricity running through the device, the subjects do not show any improvement in perceptual acuity, "suggesting that electrical stimulation did not improve the health or function of the retina."

Thus far, participants in the study have been people with little or no sight perception due to the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Ultimately, however, the device is likely to be used for the millions of people suffering from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, as well. In fact, notes Humayun, there are 25 million people across the globe, including 6 million in the United States alone, who have been blinded, or are severely visually impaired, due to disease like RP and AMD. By 2020, that figure is expected to double, creating a virtual vision-loss epidemic.

'"/>

Source:University of Southern California


Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Different microarray systems more alike than previously thought
2. Oceans more vulnerable to agricultural runoff than previously thought, study finds
3. Atmosphere may cleanse itself better than previously thought
4. Katrina floodwaters not as toxic to humans as previously thought, study says
5. The diversity of marine life in the Gulf of Maine region is much greater than previously thought
6. Memory loss affects more of the brain than previously thought
7. Can you hear me now? Scientists find previously unknown receptors on adult stem cells
8. Sports cheats beware -- new test detects previously undetectable drug
9. Brain works more chaotically than previously thought
10. Mans earliest direct ancestors looked more apelike than previously believed
11. Liver regeneration may be simpler than previously thought