[Towards clinical application of a visual prosthesis]

We have conducted studies to develop a visual prosthesis for blind patients with outer retinal disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa, using a suprachoroidal transretinal electrical stimulation (STS) system. The consortium of the Japan Artificial Vision Project brought together medical researchers and engineers in close cooperation. Various aspects of the STS system have been assessed such as safety, stability in animal eyes, measurements of spatial resolution, development of animal models of retinal degeneration, neuroprotective effects of transcorneal electric stimulation, development of a CMOS LSI-based flexible. A unique artificial vision system has been developed using suprachoroidal electrical stimulation. The system provides spatial resolution equivalent to counting fingers. Animal models of external retinal disorders have been developed. Transcorneal electrical stimulation proved successful in providing neuroprotection in these models. The commercially available visual prosthesis will be further developed using the STS system.