Restoring vision to the blind is a much more complex task than magnifying a picture for the visually impaired, Head of Medical Projects at ANO Sensor-Tech and ophthalmologist Andrey Demchinsky, told Sputnik Africa.
He outlined several key methods for restoring sight, emphasizing that the best approach is heavily dependent on the specific cause and nature of the vision loss.
Optogenetics:
This method uses gene therapy to make non-photosensitive eye cells sensitive to light. A virus is injected into the eye, delivering a gene that integrates a photosensitive protein into the cell membrane. These cells then react to light and send signals to the brain.
However, this method requires functional organs for signal transmission, including a working optic nerve and an intact retina.
Retinal implants:
Systems like the Argus II bypass damaged photoreceptors by directly stimulating the retina and optic nerve with electrodes, conveying a simplified visual representation to the brain.
Despite its promise, the technology’s progress has stalled due to high costs and limited use.
Neurointerfaces (Brain implants):
A more promising area involves implanting a device directly into the brain’s visual cortex to stimulate neurons and generate visual sensations. External sensors capture images, processed by AI, and wirelessly transmitted to the brain implant.
Demchinsky highlighted Russia’s ELVIS V as a leading system in this field:
🔵It directly connects external cameras to the brain, bypassing the eyes altogether.
🔵Currently undergoing preclinical testing on monkeys.
🔵Clinical trials are planned for 2026.
🔵Only a handful of teams globally are pursuing similar technology, including Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
🔵Offers a potential solution for a broader spectrum of blind individuals.
