Tiny brain implant helps a blind teacher see letters again

[dvernb]

A former science teacher who's been blind for 16 years became able to see letters, discern objects' edges — and even play a Maggie Simpson video game — thanks to a visual prosthesis that includes a camera and a brain implant, according to American and Spanish researchers who collaborated on the project.

The test subject had the implant for six months and experienced no disruptions to her brain activity or other health complications, according to an abstract of the study that was published this week in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The study furthers what it calls a "long-held dream of scientists," to impart a rudimentary form of sight to blind people by sending information directly to the brain's visual cortex.

"These results are very exciting because they demonstrate both safety and efficacy," said one of the lead researchers, Eduardo Fernández of Miguel Hernández University, in a statement. "We have taken a significant step forward, showing the potential of these types of devices to restore functional vision for people who have lost their vision."

More:

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/23/1048699230/scientists-used-a-tiny-brain-implant-to-help-a-blind-teacher-see-letters-again

 

[Merlin]

This sounds like a miracle for lack of a better word. Considering how quickly technology has been advancing in the past 20 years this study gives one a reasonable expectation that within the next 20 years these implants will be as common as cochlear implants for the deaf are today.

Great story. Thank you for posting.