An electrical implant sends a video feed to the undamaged cells in his retina from a tiny camera attached to the patient's glasses. Photo / Thinkstock
An electrical implant sends a video feed to the undamaged cells in his retina from a tiny camera attached to the patient's glasses. Photo / Thinkstock
A British pensioner has become the first person in the world to be fitted with a bionic eye to fix the most common form of blindness in an operation which offers hope to hundreds of thousands of people.
Ray Flynn, 80, has been unable to recognise faces since he developedage related macular degeneration (AMD) eight years ago.
But in June he was fitted with an electrical implant which sends a video feed to the undamaged cells in his retina from a tiny camera attached to his glasses, effectively restoring his sight.
The development by scientists at Manchester University marks a breakthrough for advanced dry AMD which involves sufferers losing their ability to see in the centre of their field of vision, making it difficult to read and recognise faces. The bionic eye means Flynn can recognise the faces of his family and watch television in more detail, and while wearing the video glasses he can even see with his eyes shut.
He is the first person in the world to have both artificial and natural vision combined. "I can now actually see the face of my brother Pete," said the retired engineer from Manchester. "I have central vision now which I haven't had for eight years."
Paulo Stanga, the consultant ophthalmologist who carried out the operation at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, is hopeful his vision will keep improving.
"This technology is revolutionary and changes patients' lives, restoring some functional vision and helping them to live more independently."
