Bionic eye gives sight to the blind

06 March 2009

A newly-invented 'bionic eye' has allowed a blind person to see well enough to sort his socks and work the washing machine after one of the first operations of its kind in the UK. Ron, 73, is one of just three patients in the UK and 18 worldwide to be fitted with a bionic eye as part of an international trial.

Ron says that after 30 years of being completely blind he can now see well enough to do the laundry. The pensioner, whose full name was not revealed, spoke to the BBC of his joy at being able to carry out everyday tasks like sorting the washing since losing his sight in his 40s.

The operation was carried out at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London seven months ago and Ron's sight has steadily improved since then.

The implant has been designed by an American company called Second Sight. It works with the help of a small electronic receiver implanted at the back of the eye. Light from an image is captured by a video camera on the patient's glasses.

The camera sends the signal wirelessly to the receiver on the outside of the eye. The message is transferred to the implant on the retina which stimulates the optic nerve and sends the image to the brain.

"They said let there be light and there was light," Ron said. "For 30 years I've seen nothing at all. It's all been black but now light is coming through. It gives me grades of bright light to black and anything in between. I can actually sort out white socks, grey socks and black socks."