AUSTRALIAN researchers have successfully completed a clinical trial of a “bionic eye” that may one day restore vision for the profoundly blind.

In the first trial of its kind in Australia, three patients received a prototype bionic eye implant and had extensive tests over two years. The findings of the study were released at an artificial vision conference in Michigan.

The device developed by Bionic Vision Australia is the first of its type to be implanted behind the retina, making it less intrusive than models being developed in the US and Europe. The breakthrough is the culmination of years of research by leading scientists, engineers and physicians.

“This study is critically important to the continuation of our research efforts and the results exceeded all our expectations,” BVA board chairman Professor Mark Hargreaves said. “We have demonstrated clearly that our suprachoroidal implants are safe to insert surgically and cause no adverse events once in place.

“We have also been able to observe that our prototype was able to evoke meaningful visual perception in patients with profound visual loss.”

The mechanism works through a camera attached to a pair of glasses capturing information that is then transmitted to a microchip implanted in the eye. Electrodes attached to the chip produce electrical impulses that stimulate cells in the retina that connect to the optic nerve.

Researchers warn that the device is unlikely to restore full vision but will enable recipients to perceive shapes and be able to navigate around large obstacles without the need for a guide dog or cane.

Dr Dianne Ashworth, who lectures in social work at Deakin University was the first of the three Australian patients to receive the bionic eye and has been thrilled by the results.

“It was a fantastic feeling of satisfaction,” she said. “Sure, I felt good for me, but my happiness was more for the researchers, doctors, engineers and scientists. Their device was really working.”

So far the testing has been on patients suffering retinitis pigmentosa, however the bionic eye could ultimately help others experiencing degenerative eye disease.

Prof Hargreaves warns that it will be many years before the bionic eye is widely available.

“There’s still a lot more work to be done, if you think about the cochlear ear implant it took years, this will be a similar journey,” he said.

rita.panahi@news.com.au