stusi
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posted on June 24, 2002 02:11:09 AM new
A Bionic Eye has been created which can give vision to most blind people as it bypasses the defective eye. It looks like a small camera on eyeglasses that transmits a signal to electrodes implanted in the brain. The image is not 100% the same as a normal-sighted person would see, but close enough to be considered a major breakthrough. The cost is still prohibitive to the average person but will come down considerably over the next few years as they are mass produced. WOW!
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gravid
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posted on June 24, 2002 04:52:38 AM new
Now if they can just teach those that have an eye connected to their brain to LOOK.
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Helenjw
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posted on June 24, 2002 06:10:42 AM new
LOL Gravid! ...and understand what they see!
What a magnificent development!
"Couple of years ago, every one thought this was pie-in-the-sky, Star Wars stuff," says Dr. Gerald Chader, an opthamologist and chief science officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. But with more clinical trials and research, Chader says it's quite possible that some form of chip implants will be helping to improving failing eyes in five to 10 years. "In the last couple of years there has been progress," he says, "We have a great deal of hope that there will be positive outcomes."
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DeSquirrel
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posted on June 24, 2002 11:29:56 AM new
They've been doing this for several years. Before they used a video camera attached to a computer attached to a grid placed in the brain. Then they mounted the camera on eyeglasses. Now they've got it to implant size.
You know what helps drive this? Digital imagery has companies spending huge amounts on better, smaller and cheaper imaging sensors. So every digital camera you buy to list your auctions is boost for the blind!
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stusi
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posted on June 24, 2002 12:04:36 PM new
This particular new procedure is the only one to provide "actual vision" according to medical standards. A man who was blind for 18 years was shown driving a car on a closed road. The system, devised by the Dobelle Institute, currently costs $70,000.
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DeSquirrel
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posted on June 24, 2002 12:40:40 PM new
"Actual vision" if they mean shapes and outlines only is vision. You can drive around dumpsters in a parking lot, but you can't read an eye chart.
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Helenjw
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posted on June 24, 2002 12:49:55 PM new
http://www.artificialvision.com/vision/news.html
June 13, 2002
List of patients now using the vision system.
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stusi
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posted on June 24, 2002 01:02:10 PM new
DeSquirrel- Perhaps you are not familiar with this new equipment. They showed the subject seeing clear letters! The shading was reversed however, with the usual black letters showing as white letters on a grey background.
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DeSquirrel
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posted on June 24, 2002 01:22:50 PM new
This is an old story. The scientific journals did it months ago. Methinks it's appropriation time. Not to say it is anything to sniff at. But right now a doggie is much better.
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auroranorth
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posted on June 24, 2002 02:09:05 PM new
Heaven forbids that again I have to say desquirrel is right,
did they mention if any insurer was going to bite ?
How about a law that says no insurance company can deny coverage for a service that 1 or more of their board memebers purchased for themselves and or fmaily members with profits made from said company.
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