Restoring Vision to Blind People

Every day, researchers work tirelessly to combat vision loss and blindness. Scores of studies are underway, all with the hope of restoring vision to blind people. One such research project, led by Dr. Matthew Griffith, of the Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis and the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, involves the printing of artificial retinas. The retina is the thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye which receives light, converts it into neural signals, and sends the transmissions to the brain for processing.

Dr. Griffith has created an electrical device from multi-coloured carbon-based semiconductors. They use absorbed light to fire the neurons that transmit signals from the eyes to the brain, essentially acting as an artificial retina for those whose eyes can no longer function in that manner.

"Worldwide, the number of people living with vision impairment is at least 2.2 billion. Our research aims to provide a biomedical solution to those experiencing blindness from retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the second being one of the leading causes of blindness in the world," said Dr Griffith.

SDCB can help you or a loved one with vision loss or blindness. Please contact us to learn more.

“Organic, printable device could restore sight to the blind”