Project Notes THE BIONIC EYE Parts of Human Eye What is Bionic Eye? A bionic eye is an artificial eye that allows the passage of visual images into the brain. It is a prosthetic implant that consists of electronic systems such as image sensors, microprocessors, radio transmitters, and retinal chips. It is surgically implanted into the eye to restore vision in people who have some degree of vision loss due to severe damage to the retina. However, it is not able to work for those who were born blind or replicate the natural process of phototransduction perfectly. What is the purpose of Bionic eye? Ø The retina, a light-sensitive tissue layer within the inner eye, transforms images from the outside world into neural impulses. These impulses are then transmitted along the optic nerve to the visual cortex in the brain. Ø People most likely to benefit from a bionic eye are those with: • Age-related macular degeneration: A condition causing degeneration in the central retinal cells. • Retinitis pigmentosa: A group of hereditary diseases that destroy photosensitive rod and cone cells in the retina. What is the purpose of bionic eye? (Continued) ØFor the bionic eye to function, some retinal ganglion cells must remain intact, and the affected individual must have had vision at some point in their life to establish the necessary nerve connections. ØExtensive damage to the optic nerve or visual cortex renders bionic eye implantation ineffective. Components of Bionic eye? ØExternal Camera and Transmitter • The camera is mounted on eyeglasses and organizes visual stimuli from the environment. • It emits high-frequency radio waves. ØStimulator Microchip (Internal) • Surgically implanted into the retina, it replaces degenerated retinal cells. • Consists of an electrode array that serves as an electrical relay. Components of Bionic eye? (Continued) • The radio waves emitted by the external camera stimulate the microchip, which then fires electrical impulses. • These impulses are relayed by the remaining retinal cells, transduced normally, and transmitted via the optic nerve pathway, resulting in vision. How does it work? The eye networking system involves a camera that are connected to a pair of glasses, which radiates highfrequency radio signals to a microchip implanted in the retina. Electrodes on the implanted chip transforms these signals into electrical impulses to give way to the cells inside the retina that directly is connected to the optic nerve. These signals are then transferred with the optic nerve to the vision processing centers of the brain where they are perceived as a picture. How does it work? (Continued) The Bionic eye has the ability to work as similar to the real eye, by receiving images from the camera that is placed along with glasses which the person can wear and is a very minute device because it easily fits into the glass so that later on it can be used again, as an artificial eye. The images captured by the retina are then sent to a small electronic system. This device has the ability to transform the given image data to electronic signal and later transfers it to receivers, to the retina more precisely. How does it work? (Continued) The electrode panel gives out pulses which reaches the optic nerve to the brain, also in case of a damaged optic nerve the signals can be easily sent with the use of other specialized devices. Just when the brain gets the signals, the brain starts processing accordingly letting the blind person see. How does it work? (Continued) Summary A bionic eye is an incredible technological advancement designed to restore vision for individual who have suffered severe damage to thei retina. A bionic eye is an electrical prosthesis surgically implanted into a human eye.The bionic eye works by using a computer connected chip that is carefully placed right behind the damaged eye and then linked to a very small video camera made like glasses so that the person can wear. The camera captures the image and sends electronic signal that the brain can easily perceive.
