A new breakthrough in vision implants has been announced, offering hope for millions of people suffering from blindness or severe vision impairment. This development comes from the European Union (EU)-funded project, NeuraViPer, which aims to create high-performance electrodes that are four times thinner than a human hair.
The need for such advancements is clear, as vision impairment, including blindness, is the third-leading cause of years lived with disability, according to a Global Burden of Disease study. In Europe alone, more than 2.5 million residents are blind, with leading causes including cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes-induced damage, genetic conditions, accidents, and infections.
The NeuraViPer project is part of a broader effort to develop visual prostheses that can restore sight to the blind. These prostheses work by connecting an external camera to the brain, allowing the brain to decode the messages received from the camera and interpret them as visual signals. The new breakthrough in vision implants from the NeuraViPer project aims to improve the safety and effectiveness of these devices. By creating high-performance electrodes that are four times thinner than a human hair, the project aims to increase the number of electrodes that can be fitted into the brain, enhancing the visual resolution and reducing the risk of scarring or inflammation.