7 Jun 2024 – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Bionic eye trial reveals substantial vision improvements over two and a half years
Results of the first clinical trial of Australia’s ‘second generation’ bionic eye have demonstrated ‘substantial improvement’ in four participants’ functional vision, daily activities and quality of life over a period of more than two and a half years.
Detailed outcomes from the trial, led by the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Bionics Institute, University of Melbourne and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, are published today in Ophthalmology Science.
The findings add to interim results which showed that the second-generation bionic eye developed by Australian company Bionic Vision Technologies provided rapid improvements for four patients with blindness caused the genetic eye condition retinitis pigmentosa.
The new study tracked the patients from the time they received the implant surgery in 2018 to 2021.
Its findings demonstrate the device is stable and durable over the longer term– staying in place behind the retina without complication and still having 97 per cent of electrodes functioning 2.7 years after first implant.
Dr Ash Attia, CEO of Bionic Vision Technologies said “ We are encouraged by the excellent results of the generation 2 Bionic eye trial. We are looking forward to finalize the development of the Generation 3 bionic eye and enter the worldwide pivotal trial and ultimately gain regulatory approval”. “Regulatory approval will allow us to make this important technology available to RP patients which will positively impact their lives” Dr Attia said.