title: Implantation of Modular Photovoltaic Subretinal Prosthesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Establish the surgical procedure for subretinal implantation of multiple photovoltaic arrays for the restoration of sight.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple silicon photovoltaic arrays of 1 mm in diameter and 30 µm in thickness were implanted subretinally via single retinotomy in rabbits. Ophthalmoscopic imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to validate the implants' placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vitrectomy, followed by subretinal fluid injection for retinal detachment and retinotomy, allowed accurate placement of seven modules in the bleb, covering approximately a 3.5-mm diameter area on the retina via a single 1.5-mm retinotomy. OCT confirmed complete reattachment of the retina over the implants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subretinal implantation of multiple photovoltaic arrays via a single retinotomy, followed by their tiling, minimizes the scleral and retinal incisions and provides better fit to the spherical shape of the eye ball, compared to a single, larger module. Such minimally traumatic procedure can be performed with 20-gauge intraocular instruments.
authors.forename: Dae Yeong
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lorach
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huie
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palanker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D008839:Microelectrodes; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D057488:Visual Prosthesis; D014821:Vitrectomy