I actually have RP and really I'm more excited by the prospects of gene therapies stem stem cell research. I believe that eventually we will see an implant like this that will provide ambulatory sight, but I just don't see how artificial retinal technology can simulate real sight. There are numerous problems.
First is simply the resolution. We'd have to come up with a chip with essentually cellular sized receptors to come close to matching the resolution of the human eye.
Second (and perhaps most challenging) is the tweaking of the electrical impulses generated by such a device so as to simulate the immensely complex levels and degrees electro-chemical impulses generated by retinal cells when stimulated by light. Simulating brightness and color seems quite difficult.
Third is peripheral coverage. A single chip may be able to provide five to ten degree coverage (okay for ambulatory sight), but to get seamless 180 degree coverage will require many separate implants or a single, large, contact lense shaped implant. Possible, perhaps.
Fourth, of course, is power. Solar is a possibility, but for low-light scenarios would seem to be difficult to get enough sensitivity in the solar cells to be able to generate sufficient power to stimulate the optic nerve.
I think that perhaps these can all be overcome eventually. However, I personally believe that more biological solutions will precede a technological one.
Oh, and for those of you with rapidly failing eyesight, it is much more likely that you are experiencing problems with your lense than with your retina. An artificial retina probably won't help most people much. Lasik, permanently implanted contact lenses, and other fore-eye solutions are likely to be much more helpful and certainly more practical given today's technology.
That said, this is a very positive step forward in this line of research, and it is exciting to watch. If I lose my sight fully before better, full-sight restoring solutions are devised, I'll be first in line to sign up for trials.
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I actually have RP and really I'm more excited by the prospects of gene therapies stem stem cell research. I believe that eventually we will see an implant like this that will provide ambulatory sight, but I just don't see how artificial retinal technology can simulate real sight. There are numerous problems.
First is simply the resolution. We'd have to come up with a chip with essentually cellular sized receptors to come close to matching the resolution of the human eye.
Second (and perhaps most challenging) is the tweaking of the electrical impulses generated by such a device so as to simulate the immensely complex levels and degrees electro-chemical impulses generated by retinal cells when stimulated by light. Simulating brightness and color seems quite difficult.
Third is peripheral coverage. A single chip may be able to provide five to ten degree coverage (okay for ambulatory sight), but to get seamless 180 degree coverage will require many separate implants or a single, large, contact lense shaped implant. Possible, perhaps.
Fourth, of course, is power. Solar is a possibility, but for low-light scenarios would seem to be difficult to get enough sensitivity in the solar cells to be able to generate sufficient power to stimulate the optic nerve.
I think that perhaps these can all be overcome eventually. However, I personally believe that more biological solutions will precede a technological one.
Oh, and for those of you with rapidly failing eyesight, it is much more likely that you are experiencing problems with your lense than with your retina. An artificial retina probably won't help most people much. Lasik, permanently implanted contact lenses, and other fore-eye solutions are likely to be much more helpful and certainly more practical given today's technology.
That said, this is a very positive step forward in this line of research, and it is exciting to watch. If I lose my sight fully before better, full-sight restoring solutions are devised, I'll be first in line to sign up for trials.
Paul