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Related Concept Videos

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
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Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.
Anatomy of the Eyeball01:20

Anatomy of the Eyeball

The eye is a spherical, hollow structure composed of three tissue layers. The outer layer — the fibrous tunic, comprises the sclera — a white structure — and the cornea, which is transparent. The sclera encompasses some of the ocular surface, most of which is not visible. However, the 'white of the eye' is distinctively visible in humans compared to other species. The cornea, a clear covering at the front of the eye, enables light penetration. The eye's middle layer, the vascular tunic,...
Diabetic Retinopathy01:27

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DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
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Channel Rhodopsins

Most organisms use photoreceptors to sense and respond to light. Examples of photoreceptors include bacteriorhodopsins and bacteriophytochromes in some bacteria, phytochromes in plants, and rhodopsins in the photoreceptor cells of the vertebral retina. The light-sensitive property of these receptors is because of the bound chromophores, such as bilin in the phytochromes and retinal in the rhodopsins.
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Methodology for Biomimetic Chemical Neuromodulation of Rat Retinas with the Neurotransmitter Glutamate In Vitro
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Optobionic vision--a new genetically enhanced light on retinal prosthesis.

Patrick Degenaar1, Nir Grossman, Muhammad Ali Memon

  • 1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Imperial College, London, UK. p.degenaar@imperial.ac.uk

Journal of Neural Engineering
|May 22, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Optogenetics enables neural stimulation for retinal prostheses. Researchers reduced light intensity to safe levels, preventing eye damage and enabling reliable image transfer using gallium nitride LEDs.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Optogenetics, the genetic incorporation of artificial opsins, allows for precise photostimulation of neurons.
  • This technology presents a revolutionary approach to neural stimulation.
  • Its application in retinal prostheses is a promising area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of optogenetics in developing advanced retinal prostheses.
  • To determine the optimal light intensity required for neuronal stimulation.
  • To ensure the safety of photostimulation by mitigating thermal and photochromic damage.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing genetically engineered opsins for neuronal photostimulation.
  • Measuring the instantaneous light intensity required to elicit action potentials in neurons.
  • Developing and testing a gallium nitride LED light source for patterned stimulation.
  • Assessing methods to reduce light intensity to safe levels for ocular application.

Main Results:

  • Typically, 100 mW cm(-2) instantaneous light intensity is needed for neuronal action potential stimulation.
  • Effective methods were identified to reduce light intensity, preventing thermal and photochromic damage to the eye.
  • A gallium nitride LED light source demonstrated the capability to generate required light patterns for reliable image transfer.

Conclusions:

  • Optogenetic photostimulation holds significant potential for retinal prosthesis development.
  • Safe and effective light delivery parameters have been established for ocular application.
  • Gallium nitride LED technology can support the transfer of reliable visual information through retinal implants.