Revolutionary bionic chip restores sight in patients with age related macular degeneration

A bionic eye implant has delivered unprecedented results for sufferers of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reigniting hope for hundreds of thousands facing blindness. Developed by Science Corporation, the Prima system leverages a wafer-thin wireless microchip, offering a genuine step-change in artificial vision.

The sophisticated device, measuring just 2mm by 2mm, is inserted under the retina. Paired with augmented-reality glasses, which are fitted with a discreet video camera, the system enables once-blind individuals to recognise faces and read text—activities most had considered lost forever. Data captured by the camera is processed by artificial intelligence, translated into infrared signals, and beamed to the implant. The chip then stimulates surviving retinal neurons, allowing visual signals to reach the brain once more.

A recent UK-wide trial, centred at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, enrolled 38 patients suffering from geographic atrophy, an advanced form of AMD. Remarkably, more than 80 per cent of the participants exhibited significant improvement, with the average patient reading 25.5 additional letters and five extra lines on a standard eye chart after a year of use. One patient managed to regain the ability to read 59 letters—twelve lines—on the test chart, a testament to the transformative potential of this technology.

Prior to the intervention, these individuals faced severe vision loss, unable to manage basic tasks or even decipher traditional vision charts. The chip insertion procedure takes just a couple of hours. After a month’s activation period and a subsequent period of adaptation, many found themselves re-engaging with the written word, treasured hobbies, and social interaction, markedly improving their quality of life. A built-in zoom function on the accompanying glasses further supports reading and detailed tasks.

Clinicians describe this as a watershed development. Historically, central vision loss from AMD has been irreversible, with only peripheral sight often spared in late-stage cases. Current treatments merely slow progression and can do little to reverse established blindness. Estimates suggest 600,000 individuals in the UK contend with AMD—a figure rising steadily alongside an ageing population. For such a cohort, the ability to restore functional central vision marks a fundamental shift in the landscape of ophthalmic care.

Pending regulatory approval, the Prima system could soon be accessible via the NHS, with wider European trials already evidencing success in France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. As Science Corporation strives to bring its groundbreaking device to market, investors and policymakers alike will be watching closely. The potential to rebalance life for those with AMD is within reach, and the market prospects for vision-restoring technologies are brighter than ever.