Bionic vision system restores sight in AMD trials

The Prima system, being developed by Paris-based Pixium Vision, was trialled on five patients in France, all of whom had advanced dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

The system, which is designed to restore sight in patients blinded by retinal dystrophies such as AMD, consists of a miniaturised, wireless sub-retinal implant, and augmented reality glasses, according to Guillaume Buc, chief technology officer at Pixium Vision.

“We target diseases where the photoreceptors, the part of the retina which receives light and converts it into an initial signal for the brain, may have died,” said Buc. “The idea is to replace the photoreceptors’ function by electrical stimulation, using an implanted prosthesis.”

While none of the patients had any remaining central vision at the start of the trial, after twelve months with the bionic implant most could identify letters, with some able to identify sequences of letters, he said.

The system consists of a 2mm diameter photovoltaic chip, containing 378 electrodes, which is implanted under the retina, where it acts like an array of solar panels.