'It's out of this world': Life-changing eye implant helps blind patients read again

After being fitted with a life-changing implant at the back of the eye, a group of blind patients can now read again. The findings of the international trial, according to a surgeon who implanted the microchips in five patients at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, are

astounding. Sheila Irvine, a blind reader who has registered blind, told the BBC that it was

Cells in a tiny portion of the retina at the back of the eye gradually fade and die, resulting in blurred or distorted central vision in those with the condition. Colour and fine detail are often lost. The new procedure involves inserting a tiny 2mm-square photovoltaic microchip with the thickness of a human hair under the retina. Patients were then able to wear glasses with a built-in video camera. The camera delivers an infrared beam of video images to the implant at the back of the eye, which leads to the transfer of a small pocket processor that can be enhanced and made clearer. The photographs are then sent back to the patient's brain via the implant and optic nerve, giving them a fresh sense of vision. The patients spent months learning how to interpret the images. Mahi Muqit, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, who was in charge of the trial's UK arm, told the BBC that it was pioneering and life-changing technology.This is the first implant that has been shown to give patients meaningful vision that they can use in their daily lives, such as reading and writing. I think this is a big leap, he said.

How the implant technology works

38 patients with geographic atrophy in five European countries were tested in the trial of the Prima implant, which is produced by California biotech Science Corporation, and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 27 of the 32 patients were able to read again using their central vision. On an eye chart, this corresponded to an increase of 25 letters, or five lines. The change for Sheila, a Wiltshire girl, is even more dramatic. She is certainly unable to read without the implant. But when we filmed Sheila reading an eye chart at Moorfields Hospital, she made no mistake. She punched the air and booed after finishing it.

'I am one happy bunny'

The task took huge concentration. In order to keep the camera's feed steady, Sheila had to place a pillow under her chin in order to maintain the camera, which can be limited to just one or two letters at a time. At certain points, she had to switch to magnification mode, particularly to distinguish between the letters C and O. Sheila began losing her central vision more than 30 years ago as a result of a lack of cells in the retina. She compares her vision to that of two black discs in each eye. Sheila cane because her very poor peripheral vision is blurred. When outside, she is unable to read even the most common street signs. She cried when she had to give up her driving license. But after an implant placement three years ago, she is delighted with her growth, as well as the medical staff at Moorfields.

I am able to read my books, books, and do crosswords and Sudoku,

Sheila does not use the device outside. In part, this is because it takes a lot of concentration - her head must be held very still in order to read. She also does not want to become over reliant on the device. Rather, she says she

at home each day before sitting down and putting on the special glasses. The Prima implant is not yet approved, so it is not available outside of clinical trials, and it's uncertain how much it will cost. Despite this, Mahi Muqit said he hoped it would be available to some NHS patients

The most common cause of sight loss in old age is dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It's hoped that the technology would be used to assist people with other eye disorders in the future. The findings, according to Dr. Peter Bloomfield, head of Macular Society research, are

for those who currently have no treatment options.

We are now waiting to see if the Prima implant will be approved for use in the United Kingdom and, more importantly, whether it will be made available on the NHS.