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Artificial retina can help restore vision
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
Scientists at the RIKEN Institute have developed a unique method for treating hereditary degenerative eye diseases, which in most cases lead to complete loss of vision. Scientists propose introducing artificial retinal cells that will stabilize vision and help prevent blindness. Artificial retinal cells are planned to be created in laboratory conditions from stem cells. It is worth noting that these cells are of the greatest interest to researchers, since only stem cells have shown the highest rate of tissue or cell regeneration in the environment in which they are placed. Scientists are considering stem cells as a way to treat a wide variety of diseases, and vision loss is no exception.
The specialists conducted a series of experiments on monkeys - animals with poor eyesight were transplanted with retinal cells from human stem cells, specially grown in the laboratory. After a certain period of time, the researchers found that the human cells had taken root well in the primates, and the animals' vision gradually began to improve. In monkeys with congenital retinal dysfunction, the scientists also noted significant improvements after the start of treatment.
During the work, it was established that synaptic connections between natural and artificial retinal cells are not always formed, and the researchers decided to find out the reasons for rejection and whether it is possible to influence the formation of these connections.
Once scientists find answers to their questions, it will be possible to talk about introducing new technology into ophthalmological surgical practice.
A new technology for treating degenerative eye diseases could help people with inherited disorders that often lead to complete loss of vision, according to Japanese experts. Once scientists thoroughly study the principle of the new treatment, millions of people with low vision (or who have completely lost it) will have a chance to recover.
Another group of scientists from an Australian university proposed restoring vision using a specially developed visual system that transmits signals directly to the brain.
Australian developers explained the principle of the so-called bionic eye: small plates are implanted in various parts of the brain, which process signals received from an external camera built into special glasses. The signal from the camera is sent to the plates inside the brain, where an approximate image is created; experts note that people with an artificial visual system will be able to see almost as well as people with normal vision. It is worth noting that people with healthy vision reproduce an image of 1.5 million pixels, while the new visual system is capable of transmitting only 500 pixels.
The Australian specialists' system is currently still in the development stage, but scientists have already begun searching for volunteers to take part in clinical trials.
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