'Bionic eye' will let blind see

A revolutionary artificial eye that could allow the blind to see is being unveiled at a London conference today, and human trials will begin within a year.

Described as "the ultimate tool for blindness", the new system tricks the brain into believing the eyes are working.

The system uses a pair of glasses fitted with a tiny video camera. The pictures picked up are transmitted into a microcomputer in the glasses, and the information is sent via a wire to a microchip embedded deep in the eye.

The chip electronically stimulates optical nerve endings, and the nerves send impulses to the brain, where the image picked up by the video camera is formed.

Although the images are far from perfect, they are clear enough to allow someone who is otherwise completely blind to recognise faces of loved ones.

"We are effectively restoring the vision of people who are either blind or are partially sighted," said Professor Gislin Dagnelie of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who is helping to develop the chip.

"To us these images look very basic, but for someone who was previously

blind they are a massive step forward." Second Sight, the company planning to sell the implants, hopes to begin human trials within 12 months.

"The biggest problem is managing expectations - it takes the brain a few days to effectively learn how to see again," said Professor Dagnelie, who will be discussing his work at the conference, organised by the Royal National Institute for the Blind today.

Anita Lifestone, of the RNIB, said: "This is a revolutionary piece of technology, and really has the potential to change people's lives. But we need to be aware it is still some way in the future."

News of the research comes as the RNIB today issued a warning that Britain is facing a "sight-loss timebomb".

Lesley-Anne Alexander, RNIB chief executive, said: "Sight loss increases dramatically as people get older, and as an effect of the ageing of our population the number of people with sight problems is likely to double over the next 20 years. The RNIB wants to see additional government expenditure of ?420 million a year to improve treatment for long-term eye conditions."