Submitted on Sep 29, 2009 in Medicine, Technology
Last year I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mark Humayun and hear him lecture on the advances in the retinal microchip. I wrote about his lecture here.
This week the New York Times published an article with updates on how the microchip (or artificial retina) project is progressing. Human trials are underway and the results are astounding. Patients who were previously completely blind have reported being able to distinguish light, tell the difference between sidewalk and grass, and even find the hoop when playing basketball in the back yard!
The article is a must read for anyone concerned with retinal degeneration. Also be sure to check out the accompanying video. Very interesting!
I have inquired about the retinal microchip program which would benefit my uncle who is 79 years old and can just distinguish light from dark. He has been legally blind since he was 24. Otherwise, he is quite healthy. His type of blindness would make him elligible for the test project but he lives a four hour drive from the nearest test center. It would be great if I could be notified should a test center be opened in the Sacramento CA area or further North. We could manage to get him there for his required visits. Thank you!
Hi Georgia - Have you tried contacting the National Institute of Health? They keep lists of all trials ongoing. Try checking out this site: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
Good luck!
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