‘Bionic’ eye to tackle sight loss

SCIENTISTS have developed a bionic eye to help with sight loss caused by problems with the retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye.

In people with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder, the cells in the retina progressively die off.

The device consists of a pair of glasses with a camera which sends signals wirelessly to an implant under the ear and on to the brain, bypassing damaged retina cells. There’s also a stimulator attached to the eye that tricks the remaining cells into receiving light.

After successful tests on sheep, the device’s inventors, from Sydney University, Australia, hope it could soon be trialled in humans.