World’s first bionic eye implant completed in Manchester

A team from the University of Manchester have become the first to successfully implant a bionic eye in a patient.

The device uses a glasses-mounted camera to capture images, which are then translated into small electrical pulses. These are transmitted wirelessly to electrodes on the retina surface, which stimulate the remaining cells and replicate the patterns of light for the brain.

Surgeons at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital implanted the bionic eye in an 80-year-old man with age-related macular degeneration, which impaired his central vision, making it difficult for him to read, drive, watch TV or recognise faces.

He was fitted with the device in June prior to its activation on July 1st. Over time, the patient will learn to interpret the patterns produced by the device, allowing him to regain vision.

Paulo Stanga, professor of ophthalmology and retinal regeneration at the University of Manchester's Institute of Human Development, said: "This technology is revolutionary and changes patients' lives – restoring some functional vision and helping them to live more independently."