Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that could restore vision to blind individuals. Researchers have decoded the retina’s neural communication system, paving the way for newer and better prosthetic retinal devices that could significantly improve the lives of millions globally.
Two scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College have studied the retina’s neural code in mice and used this knowledge to create an innovative prosthetic device that restores sight to blind animals. Additionally, they believe they have deciphered the neural code for monkey retinas, which closely resemble human retinas. This could lead to designing and testing a similar device for blind humans, potentially helping them regain their vision.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that these new devices would far surpass the current technology available to assist blind people. Presently, prosthetics allow users to perceive spots and edges of light, aiding in navigation. However, this new technology aims to restore normal vision, enabling individuals to recognize facial features and track moving objects.
Dr. Sheila Nirenberg, the lead researcher from Weill Cornell, envisions a future where blind people may wear a visor similar to those seen in Star Trek. This visor would capture light, convert it into a code using a computer chip, and then translate it into images for the brain to interpret.
“It’s an exciting time. We can make blind mouse retinas see, and we’re moving as fast as we can to achieve the same for humans,” said Dr. Nirenberg. “This is the first prosthetic with the potential to provide normal or near-normal vision because it incorporates the neural code.”
Scientists are hopeful that this research will offer new hope to the 25 million people worldwide who suffer from blindness due to retinal diseases.