The world's first biological eye was born, illuminating hope for millions of people

Scientists believe that their biomimetic eyes will be able to restore sight to millions of people around the world. And will also find solutions to problems related to Retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

Australian scientists are ready to begin testing a new, implantable biomimetic eye.

They hope this biomarker eye not only enhances the eyesight of patients, but also better than today's vision recovery devices.

Phoenix99 - developed by a team of scientists at the University of New South Wales - is a complete eye implant with the world's first nerve stimulation technology. It has been tested and successfully demonstrated by a team of surgical specialists in the pre-clinical stage. This device has received a huge investment to enable scientists to take their work to a higher level - transplanting on humans.

Phoenix99 - is a complete eye implant with the world's first nerve stimulation technology.

Greg Suaning - one of the inventors - said that they were really excited when the first test was very successful and showed their technology really works.

"We were very excited by the first try because it proved this technology and the method was done in the right direction. The patient would be" learning "to use it, just like the way a person is implanted. cochlear implant "learns" how to hear electrical pulses " says Greg Suaning.

Scientists at the University of New South Wales have been studying biomedical eye technology since 1997, with the goal of visual recovery of people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa - one of the biggest causes leading to blindness in young people - and macular degeneration.

Up to 2 million people worldwide are affected by Retinitis pigmentosa . Degeneration can be detected when the patient is only 30 years old. Gradually, it will lead to total blindness within 10 years. The process of degeneration is only delayed if there is an intervention of the drug, it cannot be reversed. Moreover, the remedies are only available in developed countries and also extremely expensive.

This device is made of 24 electrode arrays.

One of the most modern ways to restore vision for people with pigmented retinitis is to use biomedical vision. In 2012, a research team experimented with a partial implant device on three patients with Retinitis pigmentosa. This device is made of 24 electrode arrays with several devices to help patients see bright spots called Phosphenes . A special camera on the device will help users feel the distance. Phosphenes will be brighter when still life comes closer.

Phoenix99, ready for complete implant testing, is in stark contrast to its predecessors. This is the reason why we hope it can bring better vision to users.

Nigel Lowell - co-inventor - expects Phoenix99 to be implanted into 12 patients over the next two years. The whole transplant process will take place in about 2-3 hours. There will be a small disc placed behind the ear to transmit data and energy to the device.

Phoenix99, ready for complete implant testing, is in stark contrast to its predecessors.

Users will also wear a pair of glasses, with a special camera. This camera will record images that generate excitations of nerve cells in the patient's retina, and send signals to the visual cortex.

Scientists believe that their biomimetic eyes will be able to restore sight to millions of people around the world. And will also find solutions to problems related to Retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has recently donated 1.1 million Australian dollars to the project. But scientists say they will need another $ 10 million for their eyes to reach mainstream therapies over the next five years.

If this is what they say, this will make the lives of 200 million people around the world better.