Artificial Vision

Photo courtesy Advanced Bionics Artificial silicon retina device (black dot) on a penny

The artificial silicon retina (ASR) is a very tiny microchip, smaller than a pencil eraser. It has a diameter of just 2 mm (.078 inch) and is thinner than a human hair. Why is it so tiny? The ASR has to be small enough to fit inside your eye without doing any damage. These chips must also be biocompatible with the cells in the eye.

The ASR needs a power source, but that's easy - it's solar! The ASR receives all of its needed power from light shining into the eye. The ASR is still in the testing phase, but it looks promising. People who have the chip are able to see more colors and shapes, and they see more clearly.

Photo courtesy Advanced Bionics An implanted ASR device