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Retinal Implants

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Vitreo-retinal Surgery

Part of the book series: Essentials in Ophthalmology ((ESSENTIALS))

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1.8 Summary

Retinal implants have been designed and fabricated to restore vision in blind RP patients. These implants work by activating neural retinal cells not affected by the degenerative process with an electrode array placed onto (epiretinal approach) or underneath (subretinal approach) the retina. Surgical procedures have been developed for both types of visual prosthesis. Animal experiments have shown that local activation of the visual cortex can be achieved with stimulation currents and charge transfers which are in a biocompatible range. Initial clinical trials in blind human subjects have shown that visual percepts can be achieved. It is hoped that with this technical approach ambulatory vision can be restored in otherwise not treatable degenerative diseases of the retina.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50931, Köln, Germany

    Peter Walter (Dr.)

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  1. Peter Walter
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 9, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    Bernd Kirchhof MD (Professor of Ophthalmology) (Professor of Ophthalmology)

  2. St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK

    David Wong MD (Consultant Ophthalmologist) (Consultant Ophthalmologist)

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© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Walter, P. (2005). Retinal Implants. In: Kirchhof, B., Wong, D. (eds) Vitreo-retinal Surgery. Essentials in Ophthalmology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27152-X_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27152-X_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-20044-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-27152-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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