Retina Implant Breakthrough Restores Reading and Puzzle-Solving Abilities for Vision Loss Patients

Breaking News: Retina Implant Breakthrough Enables Vision Loss Patients to Read and Do Crosswords A revolutionary retina implant has been developed by Science Corporation, a competitor to Neuralink, allowing people with vision loss to read text and complete crosswords. The implant, called PRIMA, is a microelectronic chip placed under the retina that bypasses damaged photoreceptor cells using signals from a camera-mounted pair of glasses. Timeline: Pixium Vision, the French startup developing PRIMA, faced bankruptcy after struggling to raise funds. Science Corporation acquired Pixium's assets for approximately $4 million in 2022. The implant is currently in advanced testing with a patient in the UK who has been able to read regular books. Immediate Impact: The magnitude of this breakthrough is unprecedented. José-Alain Sahel, a University of Pittsburgh vision scientist and co-founder of Pixium Vision, notes that patients are experiencing significant improvements in their ability to perceive visual information. This development has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people worldwide affected by macular degeneration. Background Context: Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss among elderly individuals. Current treatments focus on slowing disease progression rather than restoring vision. PRIMA's innovative approach uses artificial vision to bypass damaged cells, offering a new hope for those with severe vision impairment. What Happens Next: As Science Corporation continues to refine and test PRIMA, it is likely that the implant will become available for wider use in the near future. This breakthrough has significant implications for the field of vision restoration and may pave the way for further advancements in AI-powered medical devices. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Technologyreview reporting.*