CHARGE Syndrome Canada
Newsletter
Winter 2007
Vol. 1 No.13 © copywrite
Dr. Blake's presentation brief from the National CHARGE syndrome workshop
Research studies need participation
Developing an auditory training program
Past Edition of the Newsletter
GERMAN EYE IMPLANT
By 2009, the first implant chip capable of partially restoring basic sight will be available for market. The company that developed the research project in Germany is "Reutlinger Retina Implant". The cost of the chip, which is no larger then a grain of rice, is projected at about $33,000. It is expected that the chip will be able to give back limited ability to those who have gone blind due to rentinal issues. It is hoped that people will be able to orient themselves in unfamiliar places, and identify large objects.
The initial study was done by the "Tubingen University Opthalmology Research Institute". Blind subjets were able to see beams of light when the electronic microchip was implanted in the retina. The chip replaces the job of the retina to collect information about light and pass it along to the optic nerve and hense the brain, where information can be processed.
In the study, light was recognized in certain forms and patterns. Subjects were also able to locate light sources and find windows. Some were able to find bright objects, like cups or plates, when placed on a dark background. The next step in the continued research is to take 6 more patients and implant the chip closer to the macula, the area where photreceptors are more dense and hense the vision is the sharpest.
The test subjects are only implanted on a four-week temporary scheduale so that researchers can examine the safety of the implant, and the reaction from the human body. But the potential is there for further development.
This study would be of particular interest to those individuals who have CHARGE Syndrome with large retinal coloboma that is at risk of future detachement, or for those who did have sight and lost it because of the issues with the incomplete development of retinal tissue.
References
"Germain Eye Implant Delivers Basic Images to Blind" in Science 18.03.2007 found on the World Wide Web in DW-WORLD.DE, article 0,2144,2385901,00
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