Patients who are going blind due to retinitis pigmentosa can now have a light-detecting microchip implanted into one of their retinas. The vision-restoring implant, which received approval for sale in the European Union on Wednesday, is the second artificial retina to become available in the region.
Alpha IMS Microchip Technology
The device is called Alpha IMS and features a light-sensitive, three-millimetre square microchip that detects images using photodiodes and transmits the information electrically to the retina's nerve cells. The device has been approved for treating patients whose sight is destroyed by a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which causes the retina's rods and cones to die off over time.
Comparing the Two Artificial Retina Systems
The other artificial retina system, made by a California company, has been available in Europe since 2011. That system — Argus II — uses a camera mounted on glasses to detect light and transmits that information to the retinal implant. The Alpha IMS requires no externally visible hardware.
Each system also requires a different type of surgery to implant the retinal device — the Argus II procedure takes approximately 3 hours, while the Alpha IMS procedure takes up to 10 hours.
Results and Future Outlook
The vision restored by either technology is far from complete and varies considerably from patient to patient. Some report being able to see slowly moving cars, open doors, and household objects, while others experience no improvement.
Nevertheless, experts hope that these early versions of retinal prostheses will one day be replaced by improved models that fully restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Read more about the artificial retina here.
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