Retinal implants: emergence of a multidisciplinary field
1Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2020, USA. gislin@lions.med.jhu.edu
Current Opinion in Neurology
|December 22, 2011
Summary
Retinal prostheses offer hope for blindness caused by retinitis pigmentosa, with ongoing research addressing significant engineering and rehabilitation challenges for these visual implants.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Retinitis pigmentosa is a leading cause of blindness.
- Retinal prostheses aim to restore vision in patients with retinal degenerative diseases.
- The field has seen significant growth in research, funding, and clinical interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current status of retinal prostheses.
- To highlight recent accomplishments in the field.
- To identify major remaining research, engineering, and rehabilitation challenges.
Main Methods:
- Synopsis of relevant studies from laboratories, companies, and clinics worldwide.
- Review of materials and biocompatibility studies.
- Analysis of clinical trial data in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Main Results:
- Emerging field with considerable promise and significant challenges.
- Progress demonstrated in numerous research groups and clinical settings.
- Increasing interest, effort, and external funding characterize the field.
Conclusions:
- Current clinical applications are dominated by a few entities, but the field is open for innovation.
- Novel approaches in technology, tissue interfacing, and information transfer are encouraged.
- Future advancements in retinal implant technology and rehabilitation are certain.
