Blind No More: Brain Implant Makes Vision Possible

A blind woman is now able to perceive two-dimensional shapes and letters thanks to a visual prosthesis implanted in her brain developed by a team of researchers affiliated with the University of Utah, United States.

“One goal of this research is to give a blind person more mobility,” says bioengineer Richard Normann from the University of Utah. “It could allow them to identify a person, doorways, or cars easily. It could increase independence and safety. That’s what we’re working toward.”

The Moran|Cortivis Prosthesis is a tiny device – 4 mm by 4 mm – with 100 microneedles implanted into the visual region of the brain. After six months of daily tests and training, the patient was presented with visual challenges, where she wound up being able to identify letters, for example, like I, L, C, V, and O – going as far as being able to differentiate the uppercase O and the lowercase o. Four more patients are already trying out the device next.