title: Retinal prosthesis.
abstract: Retinal prostheses represent the best near-term hope for individuals with incurable, blinding diseases of the outer retina. On the basis of the electrical activation of nerves, prototype retinal prostheses have been tested in blind humans and have demonstrated the capability to elicit the sensation of light and to give test subjects the ability to detect motion. To improve the visual function in implant recipients, a more sophisticated device is required. Simulations suggest that 600-1000 pixels will be required to provide visual function such as face recognition and reading. State-of-the-art implantable stimulator technology cannot produce such a device, which mandates the advancement of the state of the art in areas such as analog microelectronics, wireless power and data transfer, packaging, and stimulating electrodes.
authors: Doheny Retina Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. jweiland@doheny.org
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Weiland
authors: Wentai
authors: W
authors: Liu
authors: Mark S
authors: MS
authors: Humayun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001766:Blindness / Q000628:therapy; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004566:Electrodes; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000628:therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted