March 20 - Research and Blindness

I try to keep up with current research in the field of blindness and low vision.  For the most part this research is quite impersonal.  Not so anymore!  Several years ago I met Peter, who is a participant in some cutting edge research in Melbourne, Australia.

 

Lyle often points out other white cane users to me.  Several years ago he noticed a man walking with his white cane on the beach. Because we often come to the same area in Australia, I was able to introduce myself.  Since then, I usually make it a point to seek out Peter whenever we are in Australia.  Peter is completely without sight and we often discuss issues related to blindness and low vision.

Two years ago, Peter heard an announcement on the radio asking for participants for some experimental research about a bionic eye. There was a phone number and Peter called in to see if he qualified.  He did.

Peter had to meet certain criteria to be selected for the research.  For example, he must have had some sight at one point and some memory of seeing.  The procedure involves inserting a chip in the brain.  This chip would receive messages from a miniature camera at the front of the eye.  The chip makes contact with nerves that allow the brain to process information about the light that has been received through the camera.

So far, there has just been an exchange of paper work and consent forms, but this coming May, Peter will be travelling to Melbourne for his first MRI. One of the challenges of the research is to determine the optimum location of the chip in the brain, and the placement of the miniature camera.

It’s exciting for Peter to have this possibility of some sight ahead of him. Knowing Peter personally it is exciting for me to follow the outcome of this research. You can read more by looking at http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/bionic-eye/4570686