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Retinal prosthetics for the restoration and preservation of vision
Author(s) -
Pardue Machelle T,
Kim Moon K,
Choi Heeyoung,
Faulkner Amanda E,
McLean George Y,
Ciavatta Vincent T
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a82
Subject(s) - retinitis pigmentosa , retinal implant , retinal , macular degeneration , retinal degeneration , ophthalmology , retina , visual prosthesis , medicine , retinal detachment , degeneration (medical) , stimulation , neuroscience , biology
The primary role of retinal prosthetics is to restore vision in retinal diseases involving selective photoreceptor degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age‐related macular degeneration. A secondary, unexpected role is the preservation of remaining photoreceptors from low level electrical stimulation. After a brief overview and status report of retinal prosthetic designs, data demonstrating neuroprotection from subretinal electrical stimulation will be the focus. Rat models of photoreceptor degeneration were divided into four treatment groups: 1) implantation with an active subretinal microphotodiode array (MPA), 2) implantation with an inactive silicon disk, 3) sham surgery, and 4) unoperated controls. Implantation with either active or inactive devices produced temporary preservation of retinal function. However, only eyes implanted with active devices showed increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Furthermore, since the MPA produces current in a gradient fashion in response to incident light, exposing the implanted eye to varying intensities and/or durations of light resulted in preservation of retinal function in a dose responsive fashion. Retinal prosthetics may provide treatment for photoreceptor degenerations using two independent mechanisms. Supported by the Rehab R&D, Dept of Veterans Affairs and Optobionics, Corp.