A new study suggests that a wireless, light-sensitive, and flexible film could potentially form a prosthetic device to replace damaged or defective retinas. The film both absorbs light and stimulates neurons without being connected to any wires or external power sources. It has so far been tested only on light-insensitive retinas from embryonic chicks, but the researchers hope to see the pioneering work soon reach real-word human application. If the technology does prove viable for use in humans, we could see it applied in treatment of age-related macular degeneration, which currently affects as many as 15 million Americans, and in other retina-based vision problems - including many forms of blindness.
No comments:
Post a Comment