Implanting an Artificial Eye?

Plans are afoot in some research centers to create a biocompatible artificial eye. The National Science Foundation has a webpage where you can see the current model and watch video explanations of how it is constructed.

The challenge being worked on at this time is using planar electronics, which up till now have only been functional on a flat surface, on a round surface like the human eye. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and at Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, have an electronic eye camera which has the same shape and dimensions as a human eye.

A Working Model

It has a clear "cornea" in front, with a lens behind that, and it sits on a small electronic board connected to a computer. It has 256 silicon photodetector pixels all connected by tiny wires which allow the entire surface to be curved without threatening to damage the silicon. It "takes pictures", or "obtains images" of what is around it.

It is basically like a digital camera except that it is on a curved surface. This curvature enables it to capture images in a similar way to the human eye, yielding "photos" superior in some ways to the flat photos we are familiar with.

It uses established materials rather than any new proprietary materials, and standard manufacturing processes. The researchers are therefore expecting that before very long, another model will be made with more than 256 pixels. That would be a higher density of pixels, since the dimensions of the "eye" would remain those of the human eye. A higher pixel density would yield more fine detail in its images.

The researchers are collaborating with others to explore how this type of technology could be used in healthcare monitors, therapeutic systems, and prosthetic devices such as artificial eyes.

Please see our article on How the Eye Works for more information.

If you would like to get help for your own vision, you can use the links at the base of this page to find an experienced and fully-qualified ophthalmologist in your area. For tips on how to choose a good ophthalmologist, you can read our article on How to Find an Eye Surgeon Near You.