Artificial vision

[Guest guest]

I saw this on another list. I can't vouch for the validity of it, so make of it

what you wish.

Dave

Artificial vision for the blind was once the stuff of science fiction. Lt.

Geordi La Forge from Star Trek and the bionic eye of The Six Million Dollar

Man

are both examples. Now researchers around the world are studying a device

that could help people who lost their vision see again. So far, the device

has

been used on only about 16 people worldwide.

The device works in conjunction with a surgery that doctors perform to

implant electrodes in the brain. A tiny camera that sits on the edge of a

pair of

glasses sends video signals into a computer. The computer processes the

information and then sends it through two cables that actually plug into

each side

of the patient's skull. An electrode inside the skull stimulates the back of

the brain, which creates visual images. The image is described as what you

might see when a flash bulb goes off in front of your eyes. It is also

compared to the series of dots you'd see on the scoreboard at a sports

stadium.

, M.D., from Saint Louis University Medical Center, says: " They

are really seeing. The brain is getting impulses just like when you and I

see,

except they're only seeing a very tiny outline -- a little white pattern of

white dots. "

In order for the procedure and the device to work, patients must have once

had vision. They also must have lost both eyeballs or optic nerves.

Dr. says the goal of the device is to allow patients to gain

independence. " What they [blind patients] have to do is use a seeing-eye dog

and a white

cane, and that's what we're hoping to replace with this type of artificial

eye. "

Renowned scientist Dobelle from the Dobelle Medical Institute in

Portugal was the pioneer of the bionic vision device. He worked on the

device for

30 years. Tragically, Dr. Dobelle recently passed away due to complications

from diabetes. Now, other physicians, like Dr. , are looking to

continue

his work.

Dr. was the first American doctor to take part in the surgical

procedure. He says: " We have several doctors working with various

universities and

companies, trying to get them to take over the product . So, we're trying to

get another sponsor to take over the development. "

Dr. says he hopes the procedure will be performed in the United States

in the next five years or so. He says, right now, governmental restrictions

may get in the way of performing the surgery in the United States. " There

were no governmental or hospital problems with getting permission to do the

experimental

operation in Portugal, whereas, it would be almost impossible here. Plus, it

was much cheaper --about one-third of the cost in the hospital as it would

be in U.S. hospitals, " he says.

The cost of the procedure runs about $120,000. However, the latest patient

to have the procedure -- Cheri on from St. Louis, Missouri. -- was

lucky.

The local and national Lion's Club covered the entire cost of her procedure.

Cheri traveled all the way to Portugal to have the surgery. Right now, the

computer allows Cheri to see only flashes of light, and she can use the

device for only about one hour per day. However, as the power is increased,

Cheri

will be able to see images with greater detail.

Work is already underway to reduce the size of the computer equipment. Right

now, the computer alone weighs 10 pounds and must be supported with a

shoulder

harness. The cables that connect the computer to the human skull are also

heavy. The goal is to make the unit as small as a cellular telephone.

For more information, contact:

Otto, Saint Louis University Medical Center, 3525 Caroline Mall,

Saint Louis, Missouri, 63104 or e-mail her at

ottorl@...

Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.