A retinal prosthesis: an additional line of research

The artificial retina is a prosthesis which aims to palliate the loss and dysfunction of photoreceptor cells.

The idea behind the artificial retina is to generate an electrical activity in the still-functioning retinal cells: this signal is then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve.

The positioning of the implant, in contact with the retina, requires surgical intervention.

This technique is currently reserved for blind people whose retinal nervous cells and optic nerves still work. In 2011, a device obtained a marketing authorisation.

Results are encouraging, but performance needs to be improved: restitution of the image (number of pixels/images issued), financial cost, stimulation by electrodes, neuronal stimulation…

The artificial retina should not concern people with Stargardt desease.