Tech

This implant can restore sight for patients with macular degeneration

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 17/10/2026, 20:05:25 UTC.

Briefings

A new implant system called PRIMA treats geographic atrophy (GA) by replacing dead photoreceptors with a 378-pixel array of solar cells and electrodes. The system combines a retinal implant with camera-equipped eyeglasses that use infrared light to stimulate the implant. Clinical trials showed over 80% of recipients could read, use phones, and crosswords after training. The device was approved in Europe in July and is awaiting US FDA clearance. It was developed by the California-based Science Corporation.

Key points

• The PRIMA system replaces dead photoreceptors in geographic atrophy with a 378-pixel array of solar cells and electrodes that transmit visual signals directly to healthy eye circuitry.
• The system uses a camera-equipped eyeglass that captures real-time video, converts it to infrared light, and projects near-infrared pulses (880 nanometers) onto the retinal implant to stimulate the photovoltaic cells.

Context

Geographic atrophy affects over 5 million people worldwide, causing blind spots in the middle of vision. The PRIMA system was approved in Europe in July and is awaiting FDA clearance in the US. Frank Brodie, ophthalmologist at the University of California, San Francisco, and Science Corporation's chief medical officer for ophthalmology, led the development.

Limitations

Evidence covers only clinical trial cases; specific patient demographics and long-term outcomes beyond the initial 80% success rate are not detailed. The study is unverified and preprint status is not confirmed.

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