What a Sight Saver

In today’s day and age, technology is taking over and it’s affecting all of us in very unique ways. Some of us embrace it, standing in line for hours just to buy the newest iPhone, while some of us still have trouble finding the power button on the computer. But whether we love or hate technology, there are some advancements that we can all agree have a wonderful, positive impact on society.

A recent article by HealthTechZone highlights one of these advancements. Deborah Hirsch’s article, FDA Rules on Blindness-Prevention Eye Prosthesis, Cardiac Implants, discusses the FDA’s decision to approve the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, an eye prosthesis implant, that will help patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) regain partial vision.

The Argus II Implant on the Retina

Image source: http://www.blog.telecomfuturecentre.it/2010/04/29/

RP occurs when retinas deteriorate over time, causing the patient to slowly lose their vision. There is no therapy or cure for RP, making this new advancement a sight-saver.  

“Modest gains in vision can make a big difference to a person blinded by retinitis pigmentosa,” said Paul Sieving, MD, director of the National Eye Institute. “The Argus II retinal prosthesis allows users to reclaim their independence and improve their lives.” (as cited in Hirsch 2012). 

The decision-making panel consisted of 19 members with expertise in ophthalmology, retinal disease, low vision, electrophysiology and other specialties. 

This implant has the possibility of changing lives everywhere! Technology never ceases to amaze me.  What do you think about the implant and the effect it will have on our society?

References:                                                                                                                                      

http://www.healthtechzone.com/

http://www.preventblindnesstexas.org/

http://www.blog.telecomfuturecentre.it/2010/04/29/