Europeans see artificial eyes by 2010

Claude Veraart, a Belgian scientist working on a pan-European effort to develop artificial retinas, says that a prototype has been implanted into two patients. The device works by relaying signals from an eyeglass-mounted digital camera to the optic nerve. According to reports, 15 teams of researchers are working on related projects throughout Europe, and the European Commission expects a commercial version to be available by 2008 or 2010. Veraart puts the price of the device at around €20,000.

[Frexy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Heh, I'm proud to be a Belgian yet again ^^;;
Some of the few times I can be proud >.>

quite cheap too...

[moochoo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

ill be waiting for this and buyind on day 1.

i have RP and currently waiting for some kind of tech to help me out.

[javed mandary @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

A very good example of science put to good use

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

I wonder how long until government (military) money gets involved. Or athletics - imagine soldiers with built in night vision, or baseball players with 20/1 vision.

[hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

hmm, looks like we will be seeing the first traces of the bionic man by around 2010 then. a bit later then guessed but still nice.

now when can i get a audio implant done thats able to talk to my cellphone?

[cmlp @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Geez, I hope they use quick-detach connections. I really don't want my optic nerve ripped out when I take off my glasses!

[Miriam Pignalosa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Let me start by thanking you-all in advance for giving the chance to those who are affected by severe eye chronic pathologies,which lead to the almost complete or total blindness.In regard to this topic,I'd rather tell you, doctor Veraart, about my father's eye illness anamnesis which concerns a wet form of age-related macular degeneration disease. Since about fifteen years ago, he has been affected by wet (ARMD)at his right eye and as often occurs from consequent glaucoma(even if during his whole life he has never been affected either diabetes or high pressure).Moreover nine months ago he experienced wet "SMD" at his left eye too, besides as you can imagine, he's enduring an almost complete loss of vision. Three years ago he has been operated for the traditional cataract's removal, I mean with the implantation of one and only intraocular lens in his both eyes, and not with the newest surgical technique: "Phacoemulsification" which implies the implantation of both an anterior and a posterior additional cornea-lens in both eyes. Since the very first time his eye care professional noticed wet "ARMD" symptoms at the starting-point,he immediately prescribed him two different fuorescein angiogram tests; the former at the traditional yellow, and the latter at the Indocyanine Green Dye(ICG). He's also following a suitable multivitamins dietary supplement therapy: "Vitalux Areds" by Novartis Pharmaceuticals corporation,in addition to a coenzyme Q10 one. Few months ago he also underwent a Visudyne Photodynamic therapy, verteporfin for injection,a photosensitizing agent, injected into the arm's vein. Unfortunately I turned out to be a refractory patient, probably because he was allergic to some Visudyne ingredients,so that his eye provider explained him, he could be included between 1% and 5% of patient who experienced, as side effect, a substatial decrease in vision in the first seven days after treatment; or maybe because he has an abnormal sensitivity to light(a conditon called Porphyria)determining revascularization of leaking choroidal blood vessels,and as a consequence,an intraocular debris(Hemorrhages, edema,exudation)on the retina.Henceforth,he is unable to unroll his daily outworks he was in the habit of doing before his severe epidemic chronic eye illnes arose.Therefore he'd love to find out,as far as possible, a suitable treatment for his severe eye illness; wet (SMD),in your outstanding and ongoing clinical surgical treatment.My father would love to know further details programme of research, because he should deem it a favour if you would enrol him as your fourth volunteer patient as far as your eye implant is concerned, which may offer a hope to people with damaged retinas like my father.If you please accept my regrets at wasting your precious time by reading my long e-mail,and please accept my hearty thanks. I'm so much looking forward to hearing from you.
Kindest wishes
Miriam Pignalosa
P. S. Please if you'd rather send by postal service any documentation,brochure,application form,here below there's listed my father's personal data:
First Name: Livio
Last Name Pignalosa
Date of birth: 06/30/1926
Address: Via Liberta`II traversa a dx n. 25
Zip Code: 80055
City/Province: Portici, Naples
Country: Italy
Day Phone: [phone]
Evening Phone: [phone]

[Dilip Ghimire @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Dear Claud verrart
I am very glad to know about yours research.This is a unbelievable achievment.My brother who is an Army captain, caught by ambush and totaly damaged his both retina and lost his both eyes.We have no any solution to see him again But from your research onceagain our hope generate for this.Please keep it up and minimise the price.Once agaian thank u and god bless u to success in our mission as soon as possible.
Name:Pawan Ghimire
Age:27yrs
Occupation:Captain in Royal Nepal Army
Address: Lalitpur muncipality,Word no-14,Kathmandu,NepaL
Phone:[phone]

[nicole pang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Dear Mr Claud verrart,

I'm very happy to find your information about the unbelivable artificial eyes to treat blindness through the net .but how can i get your contact information ?can you help me for this ?

I have a friend,he became totally blindness in an injured accident 5 years ago.
i am looking for the best treatment to help him to see the sunlight again.

I got some information from Portugal about artifial eyes ,The system works by combining several components. A miniature TV camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses sends an image into a set of computers.

I now got your site and found other kind of artifial eyes.i'm just confused at it.is it possible to treat my friend's blindness by your way?which one is suitable ?

Have a nice day!

Your kind reply will be greatly appreciated!

Looking forwards to your kind reply!

Best regards
Yours sincerely
Nicole

(Guangzhou,China
tel:0086-013570485760,0086-013005618898)

[Aneel Goplani @ Apr 6th 2008 3:42AM]

My name is Aneel Goplani, I'm 29 years of age. I lost the vision on my right eye in a car accident at the age of 14. Now I have a ocular prosthetic eye implant.
During my accident I was able to see light perception but due to low eye pressure I lost that too as retina was severly damaged.
Now with your retinal implant, will I be able to restore my vision?
I would greatly appreciate your response.