More than 20 individuals have regained their ability to read after losing their vision due to age-related macular degeneration, thanks to an advanced electronic eye implant paired with smart glasses and an integrated visual system, according to a report by the tech website The Verge.
The procedure was part of a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involving 38 patients over the age of 60. Age-related macular degeneration is a progressive condition that damages the cells responsible for central vision, ultimately leading to the long-term deterioration of the retina. Currently, the disease cannot be halted.
In this groundbreaking study, researchers used miniature devices measuring only 2×2 millimeters, built from tiny photovoltaic cells and implanted beneath the patients’ retinas. After implantation, participants wore smart glasses equipped with advanced camera systems.
The technology works by capturing enhanced images through the smart glasses’ camera, then transmitting them directly to the optic nerve via the implanted device, effectively replicating the function once performed by the damaged retinal cells.
According to the study’s findings, 80% of participants regained partial vision that allowed them to read newspapers and black-and-white texts. Experts consider this a remarkable milestone and a promising step toward achieving a permanent treatment for this condition in the future.
The technology behind this success was developed by Science, a company led by Max Hodak, who is also the co-founder of Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Hodak acquired the technology after purchasing the French medical device company Pixium Vision, which originally pioneered the electronic eye before declaring bankruptcy in 2024.
This breakthrough represents a major advancement in ophthalmology and offers renewed hope for millions suffering from degenerative retinal diseases.
