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Peter Szurman, MD; Max Warga, MD; Sigrid Roters, MD; Salvatore Grisanti, MD, PhD; Uta Heimann, MD; Sabine Aisenbrey, MD; Jens M. Rohrbach, MD, PhD; Bernd Sellhaus, MD; Focke Ziemssen, MD; Karl U. Bartz-Schmidt, MD, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:964-969.

Objective  To develop an intraocular vision aid to provide artificial vision in severely traumatized eyes, where neuroretinal function could be preserved but irreversible anterior segment opacification resulted in blindness.

Methods  The basis of an intraocular vision aid is in principle a telemetric circuit to bridge the opaque cornea and to allow for artificial light stimulation of the retina. The visual prosthesis comprises an external high-dynamic range complementary metal oxide semiconductor camera and digital signal processing unit and an intraocular miniaturized light-emitting diode array to project the image onto the retina. For in vivo testing of long-term function and biocompatibility, silicone-encapsulated active photodiodes were implanted in 13 pigmented rabbits and were followed up for up to 21 months.

Results  Lens extraction and stable fixation of the device in the ciliary sulcus were successful in all cases. For up to 21 months inductive energy transmission and wireless stimulation of the implants could be maintained. Electrophysiologic data and histology demonstrated a good tissue biocompatibility in the long-term follow-up.

Conclusion  The results demonstrate the general feasibility and biocompatibility to implant and fixate an intraocular light-emitting diode prosthesis. Inductive energy transmission to the intraocular device and wireless light stimulation are assured in the long term but depend on meticulous water-impermeable encapsulation of the delicate microelectronic components.

Clinical Relevance  An intraocular vision aid compound system with a high-resolution light-emitting diode matrix might be a future treatment option to restore vision in blind eyes with severe anterior segment disorders.

Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology I, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany (Drs Szurman, Warga, Grisanti, Aisenbrey, Rohrbach, Ziemssen, and Bartz-Schmidt); Center of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (Drs Roters and Heimann); and the Institute of Neuropathology, Technical University of Aachen, Aachen, Germany (Dr Sellhaus).

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Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124(4):610.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Experimental Implantation and Long-term Testing of an Intraocular Vision Aid in Rabbits.
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Arch Ophthalmol 2006;124:609-610.
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