In a world first , an 80 - year - erstwhile British man has received a bionic eye implant to treatage - related macular degeneration(AMD ) . As a result of AMD , Ray Flynn ’s central vision became increasingly blurred over the last eight geezerhood , which made it difficult for him to see what was straight in front of him . Flynn , and millions of others like him , had to rely on hisperipheral vision , worsening his quality of life . The innovational surgery rejuvenate Flynn ’s central vision from the most common cause of sight loss in the developed globe .
The avid football and horticulture rooter has been move over another chance to watch his favourite team – Manchester United – play and see thing in his garden again . This is the first meter that the Argus II implant , produced by Second Sight , was used in a patient with AMD . The Argus II implant had antecedently only been used on patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa , who had no peripheral visual sense .
“ Mr Flynn ’s progress is truly remarkable , he is reckon the outline of people and physical object very efficaciously , ” Professor Paulo Stanga , who led the four hour surgery , told theBBC .
“ I think this could be the beginning of a new era for patients with sight loss , ” he total .
The bionic eye implant earmark Flynn to see by receive video recording range from a camera build into his glasses . These figure are then converted into electrical pulses that are transmitted wirelessly to electrode on Flynn ’s retina .
“ Before , when I was looking at a plant in the garden it was like a honeycomb in the core of my eye . That has now disappeared . I can now walk round the garden and see thing , ” Flynn aver , accord toThe Guardian .
“ It ’s definitely improved my vision , but I have n’t been out and about on a autobus yet . I do n’t think I will for a petty while . ”
Tests following the operating theater render that Flynn could see the outline of people and objects even with his eyes closed . Flynn is also thought to be the first person in the existence to have the combined usance of raw and hokey sight . The successful operation of this bionic eye supply Leslie Townes Hope for those who bear from AMD , which is guess to pretend between 20 million and 25 million people worldwide .
