Bionic eye ready for human trials

Sheep test on bionic eye success - 14th March 2022

A robotic eye which has passed tests in sheep will soon start being trialled with humans too. A team from the Australian universities of Sydney and New South Wales carried out an experiment in 2021 on a flock of sheep. They inserted robotic eyes beneath the animals' retinas – the light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye.

The device, which is named Phoenix 99, is able to identify which retina cells still function well and which don't. Using the healthy cells, it communicates electrical messages to the brain for processing.

The sheep experiment was highly successful. There were no negative reactions to the electronic devices in the eye. Now, the team has applied to authorities to start testing in humans.

At least 2.2 billion people worldwide have some vision problems. The World Health Organisation says this ranges from mild problems to total blindness. Artificial eyes of this kind promise people a solution. Although development is still in its early stages, rapid technological progress is being made.

Dr Hilal-Campo, an eye specialist based in New Jersey, USA, is cautious, stating that the price tag for the technology is currently very high. However, she believes the technology is showing positive steps forwards.

She's confident that new systems which restore lost sight will be developed in the near future. Meanwhile, other research is looking for ways to stop blindness completely.