Visual Prosthesis at IOC 2027

A visual prosthesis, also known as a bionic eye, is a revolutionary device designed to restore vision to individuals with severe vision impairment or blindness. It works by bypassing damaged parts of the eye and directly stimulating the remaining viable retinal cells or the visual pathway to the brain. There are different types of visual prostheses: retinal implants, optic nerve implants, and cortical implants. Retinal implants, such as the Argus II, consist of a small camera mounted on glasses capturing visual information, which is then processed and wirelessly transmitted to an implant in the retina. This implant stimulates the remaining retinal cells, creating visual perceptions. Optic nerve and cortical implants directly stimulate the optic nerve or the visual cortex of the brain, respectively. While still in early stages of development, visual prostheses hold promise for improving the quality of life for those with profound vision loss, offering hope for enhanced mobility and independence in daily activities.