Surgeons have announced promising results from a trial involving a revolutionary device that allows blind patients to read again, signaling a significant advancement in the field of artificial vision.
The Prima device, measuring a mere 2mm by 2mm and thinner than a human hair, is implanted beneath the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the eye. This technology enables individuals who previously could not see to recognize letters, numbers, and words. Some patients have even resumed activities like solving crosswords and reading small print on prescription labels. Experts describe this development as a “paradigm shift” in artificial vision.
The world-first trial included 38 participants from 17 locations across five countries, such as the UK, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. All subjects suffered from geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which impacts the central part of the retina crucial for vision. GA affects approximately five million people worldwide and can lead to complete vision loss as the central macula deteriorates.
According to estimates, one in four legally blind individuals in the UK has GA resulting from AMD. Participants in this study had lost central vision in the eye undergoing treatment and were left with limited peripheral sight. The procedures were conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London around three years ago, each taking less than two hours.
During the operation, surgeons performed a vitrectomy to remove the clear, jelly-like substance from inside the eye. They then created a trapdoor beneath the retina where the tiny chip was implanted. To access and interpret visual information, patients wear augmented-reality glasses equipped with a video camera linked to a small computer worn on their waist. This setup includes a zoom feature for magnifying text.
The glasses capture visual scenes and project them as an infrared beam onto the chip, activating the device. An artificial intelligence component in the computer processes the data, converting it into an electrical signal that travels through the retina and optic nerve to the brain, where it is perceived as sight.
Mahi Muqit, a senior vitreoretinal consultant at Moorfields and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, emphasized the transformative impact of this technology on patients” lives. He remarked, “I have all these patients who are blind, and when you see them, they want to know if there is any way to restore vision. The answer has always been no. Now, we have patients who are reading books, and their quality of life has significantly improved.” Some participants have begun writing and engaging in activities they once enjoyed.
The chip is activated approximately one month post-surgery, after which patients undergo intensive rehabilitation to help them understand the signals and relearn how to read. The portable computer also fine-tunes the signals sent to the brain, facilitating the recognition of shapes and letters.
While the chip is designed to be permanent, patients can choose to wear the glasses whenever they wish. Mr. Muqit confirmed there are no safety concerns, stating, “There”s no pain, there are no safety issues inside or outside, as the device only activates when the glasses are worn. There is no time constraint; they can use it every day for as long as they want.”
Sheila Irvine, a participant from Moorfields, shared her experience, stating she can now read her prescriptions, complete crosswords, and understand ingredient labels on food packaging. Before the procedure, she described her vision as “like having two black discs” obscuring her sight, with distortion on the edges. “There was no pain during the operation, but you are aware of what is happening,” she commented. “It”s a new way of seeing through your eyes, and it was incredibly exciting when I saw my first letter. Learning to read again is not straightforward, but the more I practice, the better I become.”
The developers of the Prima device, Science Corporation, a medtech company based in the United States, are currently seeking regulatory approval for the technology. Mr. Muqit expressed optimism that this innovation could eventually be available through the NHS, stating, “It”s a complete paradigm shift. Conversations with fellow surgeons in the UK indicate a shared excitement regarding this technology, which has the potential for scalability.”
