Link: Brain-computer interface company Science Corporation says its retinal implant, which has a 2mm chip, let some blind people read, play cards, and recognize faces (Emily Mullin/Wired)

The Prima implant by Science Corporation has allowed individuals with severe vision loss to perform activities like reading and playing cards. This experimental eye implant represents a significant advancement in vision restoration technology.

Developed after Max Hodak's exit from Neuralink in 2021, the implant was acquired from Pixium Vision and has produced promising preliminary results in clinical trials. Hodak was astounded by early demonstrations of the technology's effectiveness.

The implant consists of a small chip positioned under the retina, translating camera-captured images from specialized glasses into visual data the brain can interpret. This process mimics natural vision by converting light into electrical signals.

Although not restoring normal vision, the device enables users to perceive shapes and patterns. Users see visuals with a yellowish tint rather than in full color.

The trial included participants with geographic atrophy, a severe form of age-related macular degeneration that affects central vision. Researchers noted significant improvements in the participants' ability to see more clearly after one year.

Experts believe the Prima implant shows promise but emphasize the need for more information on its performance in daily activities. There's a substantial need for such innovations, given the increasing prevalence of vision impairment disorders like AMD.

 #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.