Eyes brighten thanks to a biochip implant

For the first time in years, Rhian Lewis's eyesight was restored and she was happy to see the clock again clearly.

According to Guardian, Lewis, 49, transplanted a tiny electronic chip behind the retina to help restore vision, made by Oxford Eye Hospital.

She suffers from retinitis pigmentosa - a genetic degenerative disease at the light sensitive membrane just behind the eye, leading to blindness from the age of 5 years. The incidence of this disease in the UK is 1 / 3-4,000 people, there is no cure.

Lewis's right eye is completely blind, and his left eye is poorly sighted. The chip produced by the German company Retina Imlant AG, was implanted in her eyes in June in a 6-8 hour operation.

Lewis was followed later. The doctor asked her to look at a large cover with a clock and read the clock. Earlier, Lewis could not read the hour with his right eye for 16 years, and left eye for 6 years.

Mrs. Lewis read the watch cover.(Photo: BBC).

"Lord , " Lewis exclaimed, realizing he could read the clock for only three hours. "It feels like Christmas day".

The implant is a 3mm ² piece that contains 1,500 light sensors - sends electrical signals to nerve cells - connected to a tiny computer under the skin behind the ear. The machine works thanks to a magnetic coil placed on the skin. Look outside, like she is wearing a hearing aid.

The first time the device is turned on, the patient will see flashing light. Over the past few weeks, when the brain learns how to convert the blinking signal into clear objects and shapes. However, the sighted image was only black and white and slightly broken.

Describing the moment when the device was turned on, Lewis said:

"They once said that I might not respond to the device but then in a few seconds, I saw the flash in my eyes - something that hasn't happened in 16 years. Dear God, that feeling was great!"

Lewis was taken to New College monastery in Oxford, to test her reaction to the new device.

"I walked on the road. The social protection worker asked me to point out anything I thought there was or was not on the road. The first thing I thought was" something ", there was a car. silver, I really don't believe it, but the signal is very strong and I still see the sunbeam on the silver car ".

"I was really excited, almost crying. When I got home, I burst into tears, I finally got into things that I couldn't do before."

Lewis controlled the chip by emitting a wave that operated a small device that held the glass surface. She can adjust light sensitivity, contrast and frequency.

The second generation chip implanted into Lewis's eyes.(Photo: PA).

" Not seeing anything means losing confidence , " Lewis said. "Simple things like buying and selling, repairing clothes don't work because you don't see how you look."

"It's been 8 years since I knew my face. Now, identifying things, especially spoons or plates on the table, makes me happy , " Lewis said, having two children.

"Biological eye" has been tested in the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa since 2012. Lewis is the first patient outside Germany to be implanted with the latest, second generation device.

Professor Robert MacLaren, head of research at Oxford, said the technology has great potential.

"The process is amazing, because Lewis and others are trying to reactivate the part of the brain that hasn't been used for 10 years or more , " he said. "It's a huge recovery because of your body, they're learning to look again."