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In a groundbreaking development, smart glasses paired with a retinal implant are helping patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) regain some of their vision, allowing them to read books and complete crossword puzzles. The innovative device, developed by Science Corporation, was tested on 38 participants, with over 80 percent experiencing improved vision after a year of use. The study's findings were published Monday (October 20) in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Patients suffering from AMD, a condition that affects over five million people worldwide, lose their central vision due to the death of cells in the retina. The new device, called PRIMA, includes a 2-by-2-millimeter implant made of tiny photovoltaic solar panels, surgically placed under the retina. The smart glasses, equipped with cameras, transmit zoomed-in images to the implant using near-infrared light. The implant then sends electrical signals to the optic nerve, mimicking the natural function of retinal cells.
Max Hodak, founder and CEO of Science Corporation, co-founded Neuralink with Elon Musk. Hodak stated, "This breakthrough underscores our commitment to pioneering technologies that provide hope to patients in need, and which have the ability to transform lives." The PRIMA system represents a significant advancement in treating AMD, which previously could only be slowed, not reversed. Dr. Frank Holz, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Bonn, described the implant as a "paradigm shift" in treating late-stage AMD.
Science Corporation acquired the technology from Pixium Vision, a French medical device company, in 2024. The PRIMA system is currently undergoing the FDA approval process in the United States, with hopes for European market approval soon.