Of all the possible physical problems we could have it is possibly the loss of sight which frightens people more than any other. The thought that one day the lights could literally go out and we would not be able to see again. The chance that we would never be able to see the hills and the fields………
Thankfully we are seeing some amazing developments in the technology world, so much so that we have actually seen the first transplant of what is becoming known as a bionic eye. Surgeons in London have successfully implanted a device into the eyes of blind patients which, when used with a pair of specially adapted pair of glasses (with video playback facility), actually allowed the blind people to see silhouettes and make out dark from light…..a small improvement but a massive step!
The system works by sending signals to the brain via the optic nerve which are then interpreted by the brain as any normal sight signals would be. This is the first time that anything even remotely like this has been used and implanted successfully into a patient. There are even rumours that the US medical profession are on the verge of announcing a new minute camera which can be attached to the eye, capture pictures and transmit these to the brain using a transmitter which would be placed behind the eye – in place of the optical nerve.
While on the surface this all seems very adventurous and possibly a little far fetched for some, the fact is that it is literally only a couple of years away. Can you imagine what it would be like to regain your sight, but then again, just imagine what it would be like if you have been blind from birth!
These truly are remarkable days in the medical profession…..
