Bionic breakthrough in sight with an Australian first

[depakid]

Source: Sydney Morning Herald



AUSTRALIA'S first bionic eye will be implanted by two Sydney researchers.

Using the same cochlear technology that allows the deaf to hear, the device aims to restore basic vision in patients with degenerative eye diseases, allowing them to walk without a cane or guide dog and differentiate between night and day. Minas Coroneo and Vivek Chowdhury, from Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital, say the visual prosthesis could be the first - and cheapest - to hit the world market.

Rather than "reinventing the wheel", they have adjusted the cochlear implant to allow patients to perceive light, rather than sound. "We're using a bionic ear to make a bionic eye," Professor Coroneo said.

It should not cost much more than a cochlear device - $20,000. Instead of a microphone, it will use a camera and more electrodes.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/news/science/bionic-breakthrough-in-sight-with-an-australian-first/2008/08/09/1218139162870.html

[Indenturedebtor]

1. Bout time :D Is this much different than the glasses set ups that are aready in use? n/t

[stark6935]

2. I remember

about 8 years ago they made something where a blind guy could see black/white, and whether it was light or dark out.

Ever see the monkeys that have wires coming out of the back of their heads, and they move things just by thinking about it (like a robotic arm)?

[Indenturedebtor]

3. Yes but don't forget that Psychology isn't a science

:sarcasm:

Electronic neural interface has been a field of study for about 2 decades. There are even implants now that can make some paralysed people walk again.

I'm wondering if the main difference here isn't the cost and the "look"?

[shadowknows69]

4. We can rebuild him. We have the technology

Steve Austin represent. Fuckin A.