Outcomes from the bionic eye trial have demonstrated the device’s long-term durability and stability in the retina.
The detailed outcomes from the trial led by the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA), Bionics Institute, University of Melbourne and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, are published in Ophthalmology Science.
The findings add to interim results which showed that the second-generation bionic eye developed by Australian company Bionic Vision Technologies provided rapid improvements for four patients with blindness caused by retinitis pigmentosa.
The bionic eye comprises an electrode array, designed by the Bionics Institute and CERA, that is surgically implanted behind the eye. The electrode receives signals from a video camera mounted on glasses, which stimulate the patient’s retina.
Professor James Fallon, head of research at the Bionics Institute said: “The camera converts images into electrical pulses delivered by the electrode array that activate retinal cells and create flashes of light called phosphenes to help patients detect edges, shapes and movement.”
The new study tracked the patients from the time they received the implant surgery in 2018 to 2021. Its findings demonstrate the device stayed in place behind the retina without complication, with 97% of electrodes functioning 2.7 years after first implant.
Principal Investigator and vitreoretinal surgeon Associate Professor Penny Allen said patients showed significant improvement in their navigation, mobility and ability to detect objects – in clinical tests, at home and in the community.
“The bionic eye enabled blind patients to locate doorways, avoid obstacles and find items on table-tops,” she said.
“They reported greater confidence in navigation, were more likely to explore new environments and had reduced need for assistance when travelling to the local shops.”
A/Prof Allen said participants reported that the bionic eye supplemented long cane and guide dog use, provided safe navigation around people and obstacles, and allowed them to detect waypoints such as trees and lamp posts along navigational routes.
“Patients were also able to locate their spouse in a café and detect people moving at a train station – things they could not do without using their bionic eye.”
Bionic Vision Technologies’ team is continuing to refine the vision processing capabilities, usability, as well as the wearables of the bionic eye system.
Dr Ash Attia, CEO of Bionic Vision Technologies said: “We are encouraged by the excellent results of the generation two bionic eye trial. We are looking forward to finalising the development of the generation three bionic eye and enter the worldwide pivotal trial and ultimately gain regulatory approval.
“Regulatory approval will allow us to make this important technology available to retinitis pigmentosa patients which will positively impact their lives.”
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