Bionic Eye, Argus II, is a world first

Surgery for the world’s first bionic eye implant, Argus II, in a patient with AMD, has taken place in Manchester.

80-year old Ray Flynn was implanted with Second Sight’s Argus II at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

The Argus II implant is made up of two parts. It has an internal implant, with an electrode array, which is embedded in the eye’s retina and an external pair of glasses that has a forward facing camera.

The camera captures the scene in front of the patient, which is then transmitted to the electrode array and stimulates the optic nerve in the patient’s eye.

AMD, (age-related macular degeneration) caused Mr Flynn to suffer from central vision loss although he still had use of his peripheral vision.

Two weeks after receiving the Argus II Mr Flynn was able to detect the pattern of horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines on a computer screen in front of him.

To make sure that the directional information was coming to Mr Flynn through the Argus II implant and glasses the medical team had Mr Flynn keep his eyes closed through the test.

Mr Flynn said: It was wonderful to be able to see the bars on the screen with my eyes closed."

Further to this, the surgeon who implanted the Argus II, Paulo Stanga, cvitreo-retinal surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, said: “"Mr Flynn's progress is truly remarkable, he is seeing the outline of people and objects very effectively.”

Cathy Yelf, of the Macular Society, said: "This is an exciting result and we are following the progress of these trials with great interest.”

Stanga said: "I think this could be the beginning of a new era for patients with sight loss."