What is the Argus II retinal implant?
The Argus II retinal implant is an electronic instrument used to restore limited vision in patients who are blind in both eyes from retinitis pigmentosa. The retina is a thin layer of delicate tissue in the back of your eye, which lines the inside wall like the film in a camera. The retina “takes the picture” of objects and sends the message to the brain. Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that affects the retina and may cause a profound loss of vision.
How does the Argus II retinal implant work?
The Argus II retinal implant system has several parts. There is a small video camera placed on glasses. The camera records video images and transmits the information to a video processor worn on the belt around the waist. The processor then converts the video information into a digital code that is transmitted to an implant that has been surgically inserted into the eye. The implant includes a set of diodes that are placed inside the eye on the surface of the retina and a coil that is secured to outside of the eye wall underneath the skin where it cannot be seen.
Who is eligible for the Argus II retinal implant?
In February 2013 The FDA granted approval for the use of the Argus II retinal implant only to patients with severe vision loss due to advanced retinitis pigmentosa. Eligible patients must have had good vision early in life and lost all but bare light perception or worse. Patients must also be older than 25 years of age. Researchers hope that with further research the device will be approved in the future for patients with less severe vision loss and for patients with other types of retinal disease. The implant is expected to become available in late 2013.
How much is the vision improved with the Argus II retinal implant?
The improvement in vision is very limited, but helpful in select patients. No clear image is seen. However, eligible patients with the retinal implant are able to see borders between light and dark. This allows them to function better with simple visual tasks such as walking and seeing objects with high contrast. The amount of improvement varies from patient to patient. Because there are risks to surgery, the FDA is appropriately cautious in its approval of the device only for patients with profound loss of vision.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3345188/
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