A Blind Patient Read a Novel After Getting a Semiconductor Chip Implanted in Their Eye... Artificial Retina Commercialized in Europe

Artificial retina technology, which implants ultra-small semiconductor chips in the eye to restore vision for patients with damaged sight, is set to enter commercial use in Europe. Science Corporation's artificial retina device 'PRIMA' has received market approval from the European Medical Device Regulatory Authority. Designed to partially restore central vision lost to age-related macular degeneration, PRIMA has also been designated for expedited review by the U.S. FDA, potentially expanding its use to treat two rare blindness conditions. The procedure involves inserting a chip smaller than a fingernail beneath the retina during a 1-hour outpatient surgery, with a camera-equipped glasses transmitting visual data to the chip to assist the damaged retina. Max Hodak, CEO of Science Corporation, highlighted cases where patients read novels, sketched the Sydney Opera House, and solved word puzzles using the technology.