Background

Vision prostheses are mechanical devices intended to restore visual function to blind individuals. They are sometimes referred to as bionic eyes. Unlike the Bionic Woman of television fame, vision prostheses are real and are being developed to restore vision to those who have become blind for a number of reasons. In particular, they may have use in people with macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, diseases that affect transduction in the eye. Blindness due to brain damage will not be improved by vision prostheses. Moreover, although vision prostheses are potentially useful to people who have lost vision, at present, they are not helpful to congenitally blind individuals.

Go to the next two tabs to learn more about two different vision prostheses.

Argus II

BrainPort