The retina is an important eye structure, as this layer of tissue located at the back of the inner eye is the one responsible for converting light to nerve signals which are eventually transmitted to the brain. The retina plays a central role in vision, so much so that when it becomes damaged due to a severe, degenerative disorder called retinitis pigmentosa, many people think that their ‘seeing’ days will finally come to an end.
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Fortunately, the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) has come up with a viable, albeit electromechanical, solution. After 15 years of research, RPB is happy to announce that it has finally come up with Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, the first ever implantable device to treat advanced retinitis pigmentosa.
The Argus II, also touted as a “bionic retina,” uses a video camera attached to a pair of glasses which is used to capture images. These images are transmitted to a video processing unit that wirelessly sends them to an implanted retinal prosthesis which then signals it to the brain. The prosthesis is made up of 60 electrodes.
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Argus II represents a huge development in humanity’s efforts to remedy the greatly debilitating repercussions of blindness. It has been made possible through RPB, currently the world’s leading voluntary health organization which supports eye research directed at the prevention, treatment, or eradication of all vision-threatening illnesses.
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Research to Prevent Blindness is able to conduct the above research through the magnanimity of philanthropists such as Alex von Furstenberg. More about Mr. von Furstenberg’s health agenda may be found at his official website.
