Bionic eye gives sight to the blind in medical breakthrough!

[Better Believe It]

Bionic eye gives sight to the blind in medical breakthrough
May 3, 2012

They have the technology, and now scientists in the U.K. have given sight to the blind using bionic eyes. Electronic microchips implanted into the eyes of a group of British patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable genetic condition that causes blindness, have partially restored the vision of the formerly sightless so that they're able to view the world as a "grainy black-and-white image." The implant's first British recipient said the bionic eye gives him "some imagery rather than just a black world." Another patient reported suddenly dreaming in "very vivid color for the first time in 25 years" because a part of his brain had been reactivated. Wow, Toto. I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

http://now.msn.com/living/0503-bionic-eye-blind.aspx

[Nye Bevan]

1. I just love this stuff (nt)

[Better Believe It]

2. Me too!

[goclark]

3. Yes,yes, yes

[RZM]

4. Kudos to the Tleilaxu for making this happen n/t

[Deep13]

11. Just try to avoid stone-burners. nt

[KG]

5. keep trying

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Better Believe It.

[tblue37]

7. Now if only we deafies could have something better than

the cumbersome cochlear implant to look forward to!

[Brickbat]

8. Well, now I'll have that song in my head all night.

Seriously, though. Good stuff.

[fascisthunter]

9. it's amazing what humans can achieve

[flamingdem]

10. Fabulous story

yay

[obxhead]

12. Cooler than scifi predicted.

[tritsofme]

13. Obama's fault!

[joshcryer]

14. Reminds me of the 29 year old woman who heard for the first time:

Or the baby:

Love stories about human ingenuity and technology.

We're not so bad.

[Odin2005]

15. WOW!!!

[steve2470]

16. wonderful story ! nt

[Better Believe It]

17. Here's more info: ‘Bionic eye’ returns sight to two men after over 20 years of blindness

‘Bionic eye’ returns sight to two men after over 20 years of blindness
By STEPHEN MCGINTY
Published on Friday 4 May 2012

TWO blind men have regained partial sight for the first time in more than 20 years after becoming the first in Britain to be fitted with a “bionic eye”.

Scientists said the first clinical trials of the microchip eye implant, which measures just 3mm across and is fitted behind the eyeball, have proved successful and “exceeded expectations”.

Eye experts developing the pioneering new technology said the first group of British patients to receive the implants were regaining “useful vision” just weeks after undergoing surgery, with one of them describing dreaming “in vivid colour” for the first time in 25 years.

The news will offer fresh hope for people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) – a genetic eye condition that leads to incurable blindness.

Read the full article at:

http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/bionic-eye-returns-sight-to-two-men-after-over-20-years-of-blindness-1-2274027#


‘Bionic Eye’ Helps Blind Man See
By Derek Johnson
May 3rd, 2012

A British man who has been blind for more than 20 years was implanted with a bionic eye that now allows him to see outlines of certain shapes, doctors in London said.

According to Sky News, Chris James, 54, became the first patient to undergo the operation. The “bionic eye” is like a digital chip that is used in cell phone cameras, according to the report.

James inherited an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which destroys the retna.

Doctors believe that James may eventually be able to recognize faces as his brain learns to see again.

Read the full article at:

http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/05/03/bionic-eye-helps-blind-man-see/