BBC Online, the Internet wing of the British Broadcasting Corporation, recently reported on two different studies of procedures aimed at restoring sight. Both are in early stages, but both show some promise.
In the first study, researchers at the Doheny Eye Institute, in Los Angeles, California, transplanted 2mm squares of retinal tissue into the eyes of patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa. One patient, "who could see virtually nothing before the operation," reported after that she could see the "eyes, noses, and mouths of people sitting across from her."
Researchers caution that the observed improvements might be short term, and plan to carefully observe these retinal-transplant patients. If the results prove durable, the team wants to use the procedure to help people with less-advanced RP.
The second study involves an electronic device. Professor Mark Humayun, of the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California-Los Angeles, and his team, implanted 4 x 5mm electrodes into the retinas of individuals who had gone blind from retinitis pigmentosa or macular degeneration. The electrodes "plug into" the normal retinal circuitry, replacing the dead light-sensing cells.
The device is simple, and resolution is limited, but users have been able to recognize simple shapes, such as a cup or plate. At this time, the images are not captured by the eye, but by a small video camera.
Improvement is expected; research continues.