Retina, the 'artificial eye' impresses the blind

The new technology, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has opened up a new hope for the blind.

Artificial Retina has helped the blinds take one step further to the light.

This technology is called artificial retina . It allows people with low vision to 'see' the road, people, cars and a few letters or numbers.

FDA approval is a proof of progress in the field of research to restore the light to the blind. Artificial retina is a collection of multiple electrodes implanted in the patient's eyes. The patient was then given a pair of glasses with a built-in camera and a handheld video processor.

The whole system is called Argus II and allows light signals to pass through the broken parts of retina for direct transmission to the brain. Artificial retina does not help the blind see in the usual sense. It only helps the visually impaired person to distinguish between the lines and the boundaries of the object. It also helps them to distinguish between light and dark areas.

Argus II is manufactured by Second Site Medical Products and is specifically designed for people with pigmented retinitis who break down the light-stimulating cells.