The loss of vision caused by degeneration of the retina is a serious and, unfortunately, an unavoidable problem for thousands of people.

Now scientists from Israel and Great Britain offered a unique prosthesis for the retina of the eye, which will restore sight to such patients.

They published the results of tests of their invention, which were checked on laboratory animals, in the journal ACS Nano Letters.

Dr. Yael Hanein and his colleagues emphasize that more and more medical devices have recently appeared to treat eye diseases, including a new type of device sending sensory signals directly to the brain. Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and similar diseases can soon feel the benefit of such novelties.

AMD usually affects people over 60 years of age. With this disease, there is progressive degeneration of the central zone of the fundus, which limits vision. Scientists have tried differently to create implants that can "see" light and transmit visual signals to the patient's brain. This could replace the lost functions of the retina and restore vision.

But all previous attempts of scientists rested on the use of metal parts, bulky wiring and low resolution. A joint team of researchers from the Tel Aviv University, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the University of Newcastle decided to develop a more compact retinal prosthesis.

The researchers combined semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes to create a wireless photosensitive flexible film that can perform the functions of a damaged retina. During the device tests, they confirmed the ability of the artificial retina to absorb light and generate neuronal activity. Compared with other technologies, the nanofilm turned out to be more durable, flexible and efficient, and also stimulated neurons.

The authors of the study received funds to conduct their work from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Israel, the European Research Council and the Council for Research in Biology and Biotechnology.

medbe. en.

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