The global technology sector recently achieved a major breakthrough. A research team led by Elon Musk, co-founder of Neuralink, successfully achieved a milestone in artificial vision technology, restoring central vision to a patient for the first time. This brings new hope to blind individuals, particularly those with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
According to a recent study published in Nature, 70-year-old Sheila Irvine, after 15 years of blindness, regained her ability to read and perceive her surroundings through the PRIMA artificial vision trial. This technology involves implanting a tiny photovoltaic retinal implant, barely thicker than a human hair, to replace damaged photosensitive cells. Combined with specialized glasses, it converts images into light signals. The trial showed that 84% of patients regained functional central vision, and 80% of participants experienced significant visual improvement, demonstrating its clinical value.
The research team conducted a trial on 38 AMD patients worldwide. Six- to 12-month assessments revealed significant visual improvement and low surgical risk. Although some patients experienced minor discomfort after surgery, most recovered within two months. PRIMA technology not only provides a solution for AMD patients, but the team also suggests it can be applied to other retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, potentially restoring vision as long as retinal neurons survive.
The team has already submitted an application to European regulators and plans to officially launch the technology next year, with FDA approval also underway. Despite limitations in visual clarity and image processing speed, researchers are developing the next generation of implants that could benefit even more patients in the future.
