Additional $1.9M funding for bionic-eye research

The chair of the Bionic Vision Australia board, Professor David Penington, said: “I am delighted that after months of discussions we have jointly with the Monash group achieved this positive outcome with the Australian Research Council providing an additional $8 million for BVA to secure the next stage of this important program.”
The chair of the Monash Vision Group board, Professor David de Kretser, said: “The Monash Vision Group is delighted to hear that the Australian Research Council has agreed to extend the funding for the Monash approach to the development of a bionic-eye.
“The additional $1.9 million will enable the project to continue to move forward in taking some very exciting science to a product that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the vision-impaired community. There has been great progress and the continued funding will facilitate progression to a completed product that has significant commercial prospects,” Professor de Kretser said.
Bionic Vision Australia’s research program for 2014 will build on current patient tests to further develop the Wide-View and High-Acuity devices, with engineers and surgeons working through an interactive-design-and-testing process. This work is essential preparation for the next set of patient tests with next-generation devices.
The Monash Vision Group recently unveiled the prototype Gennaris wireless device – a direct-to-brain bionic eye which will assist patients with a damaged optic nerve. The funding continuation will allow further development and refinent of the device ahead of patient trials next year.
Both groups will to seek further financial support from other sources beyond 2014, primarily through the National Health and Medical Research Council, philanthropic organisations and commercial investors. For now, researchers can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with the day to day business of research and development.