Visual Prosthesis: Artificial Vision

Abstract

The next care to be taken, in respect of the Senses, is a supplying of their infirmities with instruments, and as it were, the adding of artificial organs to the natural...and as glasses have promoted our seeing, so 'tis not improbable, but that there may be found many mechanical inventions to improve our other senses of hearing, smelling, tasting and touching. " Robert Hooke English natural philosopher (1665) [1] Nothing could demonstrate more than this concept of Hooke with regards to replacement of all the senses by artificial means. Hooke was enthralled by spectacle correction itself and felt that the other senses could also be improved. No doubt the medical world has caught up with hearing aids and cochlear implants but in the real sense the restoration of sight to a blind is still in an experimental stage and the most daunting challenge in ophthalmic research.

Emerging technologies in artificial ocular devices: A systematic review

“…The advantages of the device include the wearable portion of the device which permits easy upgrades without requiring subsequent surgery, and this electronic technology allows the patient and doctor to gain full control over every electrode section and digital signal processing involved in the imaging of objects; thus, the device can be personalised/customised for individual patients. 10 The disadvantages of this device include the need for technology to provide a prolonged adhesion of the device to the inner part of the retina, and increased electrical current is necessary owing to the greater distance between the bipolar cells and the epiretinal cells (compared to that of a sub-retinal device). 10 Another disadvantage of the external camera is that it eradicates natural eye movements which impacts natural visual perception.…”

“…9 Visual prostheses were an approach to the treatment of blindness which is a relatively new area in ophthalmic sciences and ophthalmology. 10 Owing to the very recent advances in the technology and intellectual property driving this area of research, there appears to be only a very limited amount of collated literature available relevant to artificial retinal and vision restoration prostheses. The restoration of sight to the blind is the most daunting challenge in ophthalmic research.…”

“…The restoration of sight to the blind is the most daunting challenge in ophthalmic research. 10 As the numbers of blind cases are constantly escalating, the field of visual prostheses grew from a patient's dream to early patient trials. 10 It is only with continuous research efforts from teams worldwide that these individuals may be able to regain their sight.…”

“…10 As the numbers of blind cases are constantly escalating, the field of visual prostheses grew from a patient's dream to early patient trials. 10 It is only with continuous research efforts from teams worldwide that these individuals may be able to regain their sight. 10 There is a significant demand to better understand perceptual and physiological aspects of visual prostheses with increasing advances in research and clinical tests.…”

“…10 It is only with continuous research efforts from teams worldwide that these individuals may be able to regain their sight. 10 There is a significant demand to better understand perceptual and physiological aspects of visual prostheses with increasing advances in research and clinical tests. 11 Owing to the limited amount of information pertaining to this area of ophthalmic sciences and optometry, the authors considered it important to conduct a systematic literature review in order to elicit and evaluate all the information currently available.…”