Brain Implant Lets the Blind See, Bypassing the Optic Nerve
December 20, 2016 | Terry Sharrer
Since its founding in 1998, Second Sight Medical (Syulmar, CA) has developed and tested two retinal prostheses aimed at retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. But now, the company has its “Orion I” brain implant that completely bypasses natural vision and connects directly to the brain’s visual cortex. The first patient with this implant was able to see light, but not images. The company is now working on a combined camera/eyeglasses that will connect to the prosthesis and, to some degree, restore normal sight. MORE
Image Credit: Second Sight Medical