Bionic Eye- Sight for the Blind

The miracles of science never cease to amaze us. The latest science project that will be a real blessing to the blind is the bionic eye. It is essentially a retinal implant which can allow the blind to see partially. It was implanted with success in a woman last month.

The light powered retinal implant which is being called a bionic eye was developed by scientists in Stanford University, California. The device uses specially made glasses to beam light in to the eye. This powers the implanted bionic eye allowing the patient who was blind to see something.

The doctors in Australia put the bionic eye to test on a human being last month with a great degree of success. Diana Ashworth had retinitis pigmentosa, which is an inherited cause of blindness. Dr Penny Allen led the team of surgeons at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital where the surgery was performed on Diana.

After the implant Diana mentioned that each time there was a stimulation of the electrodes she saw flashes of light. Every time she saw a different shape form before her. There is more scientific development required to restore full vision to a patient but the doctors are up beat and positive that it will work.