Human Trials Of Bionic Eyes Very Soon, After Restoring 'Sharp Eyesight' In Sheep
Officially called "Phoenix 99," the device wirelessly transmits a camera feed from a tiny camera attached to a pair of sunglasses in the form of electric signals directly to the retinas
A pair of bionic eyes recently gave sharp sight to sheep. Could humans be next to receive this gift of science? A team of scientists from Australia recently gave a flock of sheep "exceptionally sharp eyesight" using bionic eyes that were surgically implanted behind their retinas.
The results were so positive that researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales claim to have filed paperwork to begin human trials soon.
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"No unexpected reactions"
Samuel Eggenberger from the University of Sydney told BBC that there were "no unexpected reactions from the tissue around the device." In addition, Eggenberger thinks it could remain "in place for many years."
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Officially called "Phoenix 99," the device wirelessly transmits a camera feed from a tiny camera attached to a pair of sunglasses in the form of electric signals directly to the retinas, Futurism reported. Once processed by the optical nerve, these signals are sent to the brain.
Also read: Engineer Builds Robot To Insert And Remove Contact Lenses From Your Eyes Perfectly
Such tech is extremely expensive - some can cost as high as $100,000. Even then, it is still in its nascent stage. But over the next few decades, such tech is expected to make great strides and could bring relief to million of humans around the world.
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According to a 2019 report, India's home to 20% of the world's visually impaired. More than 40 million people are blind or visually impaired. Around the world, at least 2.2 billion suffer from some form of impaired vision, according to World Health Organization.
Also read: No More Spectacles: These Eye Drops Could Reduce Blurry Vision For Millions
What do you think about such tech that we saw in films becoming a reality? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
References
Debusmann, B. B., Jr. (2022, February 14). Bionic eye tech aims to help blind people see. BBC News.
Bionic Eyes Give Sheep Sight, Heading to Humans Next. (2022, February 14). Futurism.
I live for all-things-technology - gadgets, novel climate solutions, and startups that are changing the game. In my leisurely hours, you can find me binge watching science fiction films, writing poetry, or dancing to pop anthems.
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