It's nice to know about this revolution !!
It's a precious gift for blind persons!!
let's see ... availability and function of bionic eye in future..
I want one for a blind person of 42 yrs of age.
hope for the best !!

Sapna Gupta, Lucknow, India

I suffer from very high miopy, wich at my 33 years old (4 years ago) resulted in progressive loss of rethin cells and consequent very low vision nowadays with no correction via glasses or operation.
I'm very excited with these news, anyways, I guess that I will just (eventually) recover my previous vision with very advanced and microscopic cameras that may take 15-20 years to develop.
I pray everyday that those "more advanced" cameras can be oproduced in a short period of time (10 year or so). I'm 37, I would be the most happy person in the world with my "old vision" at 47.
God Bless you all.

Luis, *, Portugal

i am 22 year old guy suffering from retinitis pigmentosa
first when i read heading of this news i was very excited and unable to control my heartbeats
but when i read complete article i'm sad, 5'7 years is a very long period

ankit j, delhi, india

Nice to see this sort of research with likely meaningful outcomes in 30 to 50 years. In the meantime, keeping this in proper perspective suggests a $20 white cane will still "see" better than several generations of this technology plus has no risk of infection, chronic pain, or even physiological/immunological rejection. Plus, with proper training, I suspect my white cane leaves me with much less "stumbling" than a 1,000 pixel picture. I'm more optimistic about living cell implants than a silicon wafer in my eyeball. Until then, I'll just keep on my productive path as a gainfully employed happy professional with RP gracefully navigating via my trusty white cane and no dark glasses. Thanks to all the Orientation and Mobility trainers across the U.S. A cane isn't perfect but it's darn good when properly used. Thanks too medical researchers and those willing to try out the latest medical interventions.

Michael Hudson, East Lansing, Michigan,USA

We have a 11 year old son who has been diagnosed with RP as part of having the genetic condition 'Bardet Beidle Syndrone'. His only symptons currently is that he struggles in the dark but his long term diagnosis is that he could loose his vision in his thirties.
We are obviously very excited by this news but accept that this may take longer than 5 - 7 years although who knows what size of device could be available in say 15-20 years when he will see a notable difference in his vision.
Could we be included on any e-mail distribution list so that we can keep informed as to development progress.

Nick, Rastrick, Brighouse, England

Wonderful news, but let's be careful when talking about 'restoring sight'. The expected result was to only see black and white, the real one was better. Amazing! But being able to differentiate between a plate and a cup doesn't mean you see them as you used to, you just see a difference between two shapes made of light.
Recognizing faces, therefore, would mean the same, I think - not being able to see what you used to, but seeing an oval of light with blotches of dark. Maybe it will be better than that, but I hope people don't get their hopes up too much. It's one thing to be told: you will only be able to tell light from dark and find out it's better than that. It's quite another to have the media talk of 'bionic eyes' and leave the fantasy up to the blind.

As for when we see these available - what research ever made good on those kind of promises? I think this is an amazing development, but I also think it will still take a lot longer than 5 to 7 years.

Einder, Rotterdam, Netherlands

How to contact the Eye Institute:

Doheny Eye Institute
1450 San Pablo Street
DEI-3050
Los Angeles, CA 90033
tel: (323) 442-7101
fax: (323) 442-7114

Angie, Atlanta, Georgia, US

i am also a RP sufferer and i am partially blind. is there any hope that this discovery would lead to me getting a treatment.

Chandni Sony, London, UK

Hey, Scientists have not completely understood how the human vision works, if they understand it better and sooner, then all those who suffer from blindness can be and will be cured. Let everyone of us hope that it happens soon.

Vinoth, Coimbatore, India

me and my sister both are suffering from retinitis pigmentosa but we are partially blind, are we going to be benefitied by this discovery or just the people who are fully blind.
we both would like to volunteer for this. can you please tell us where to contact.

thank you

sumit sahni, London, England

Would a person who has histoplasmosis be considered a viable candidate for this procedure?

Gene, queens, ny

There is a pic of the eye at http://www.scientificblogging.com/news/get_ready_for_a_bionic_eye

Thomas, San Francisco, USA

Could this technique be used for diabetic retinopathy?

Josee, CT,

This is extremely exciting for my family. My father had RP - he passed away three years ago, but this could help an aunt AND an uncle. Plus, as a carrier of RP, this is a huge relief. I'm so excited I was crying as I read this.

Emily, Chesterfield, Michigan/USA

What a wondereful thing to recogonize someone you love walk into your room, somehting taken for granted. Soon the blind will be able to say it, too: "I only have eyes for you."

Robert Eastwood, Toronto, Canada

I think that this brilliant news and shows that nothing is impossible. I applaud the scientists who have ben working on this for so long and also congratulate those who have been lucky enough to re-gain their sight.

I myself have many family members who suffer from blindness and have one cousin, who at the age of 18 is turing blind. I hope that the research will continue and as promised be available in two years time.

Thogh it is cliche, what better gift is there than the gift of sight?

Sally, Leicester, Uk

I'd be interested to know if this could help people whose retina has been damaged by Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Simon, London,

then.. they could just take off the glasses with the camera on them and like put them on backwards.. and have eyes in the back of their head!!!!

Ryan Riopel, Keeewatin, Canada

Acttually they had a better prosthetic eye on "Babylon ". The user could even take it out and configure it like a remote camera.
The alien ambassador who used it sometimes forgot where he put it after getting drunk.

J. B,, Houma, LA

Wow, just how great is this device - restoring vision to the blind! just spectacular

sayed, derby,

Dear Israr Khan -
The article quotes Mark Humayun, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute, part of the University of Southern California. If you're serious, why wait for someone to "provide further information" - get it yourself. Otherwise, you're just a poser.

Robert B, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

The 'eyes' have it!

Bob Roberts, Bobtown, Khazakastan

ITs the kavorkian eye!

a, SDsad, sfdgs

Can you say Star Trek Next Generation? Remember Gordie? Once again, it seems science is taking it clues from our Science Fiction writers! Remember the seemingly far-fetched communicators from as far back as the 60's? That's right! Today, almost everyone has a cell phone. Amazing isn't it? You GO science kids! Keep watching those incredible Science Fiction programs - grow up and make those dreams a reality!
Kudos to you all for giving mankind hope for a brighter tomorrow!

Sherry Swayze, Mesa, AZ / USA

are poor people left out?

j.n. , freehold, nj

My neice and nephew are both blind. I will borrow the money if I have to if this device can actually restore their sight. Please provide further information.

israr khan, Birmingham B13 9PX, UK

What a great invention. The hope that people can be helped just a little bit with the daily things that we have do in life is great.

Kevin , sagianw, mi

I HOPE this can help those with diabetic retinopathy..didn't see that in the article..sadly.

Jane Brommer, Lincoln, Ne USA

There must be some mistake.
How could this research ever have happened?
Everybody knows people in the US are just obese, knuckle dragging, fanatically religious, war-mongering morons.
Just ask the sophisticated Europeans.
Next thing you know some evil US drug company will be inventing a vaccine for preventing cervical cancer.
Oh wait...nevermind.

Mike, Burgaw, NC

WOW! GREAT TO BE LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY!

R.W. BYERS, PALM DESERT , RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA.

Its the Geordi La Forge eyeware! (from Star Trek Next Generation)

Gary, Milwaukie, OR

Totally amazing and wonderful!!!! Technology is once again proving to fix the ills and problems (medical and otherwise) of the world. Now if only the world would realize how wonderful the future can be and stop all this greed, hatefulness and terror, we can have a bright future for all!
Am I too simplistic?

Paula, boynton beach, usa

Kudos to the research team that brought this to fruition.We do hope the cost of acquisition will be pocket-friendly.

CGINYEMIKE TORTI, Lagos, Nigeria

This news has made me very happy indeed---- God bless Everyone concerned----KEEP UP with the good work.

Mr Singh, Southall, Middlesex

Edwards was right the blind shall see...well except for the part about stem cells....

Bobby, Clinton, USA NC

uh, tj..... that IS sight. it's not exactly 20/2000 but it does qualify as sight.

Erik Olson, Safety Harbor, Florida

This is what can be done when people live in a Democracy. The Arab world, Russia, China,Cuba, Africa and North Korea what do they bring to the table? Why does the Democrat party and 17 Republicans want to stop this from happening all over the world? To deny the chance for democracy to grow and exist among three billion people, half the population of this planet ,is to deny half of human potential....such a sad waste indeed.

Bob Naperschat, Point Pleasant, New Jersey

This is fantastic news. Thank you. I am 47 years old and I was diagnosed with Macular Age Degeneration in 2003. What frustrates me the most is that this condition always seems to be portrayed to people over the age of 65, it affects younger people and we need to change this view. As in the UK, unlike America our Government seem to struggle in investing funds to help and support the over 65's therefore until this view changes, I and many others face a bleak future. I have personally started a self help group for people of my age and younger with this condition to try and change this view of people over the age of 65 having this condition. There are alot of us around in the UK with no voice into Government.
I am presently treated at the Brighton eye hospital by a fantastic group of people who are restricted in giving some treatments due to lack of funding.
Let us hope we can change this view and raise enough awareness for the UK Government to take a serious look at this Bionic Eye for its UK residents.

Robin Hathaway, Eastbourne, UK

Great relief to me at least as I am so curious to know about it. My father is 70 years old now and his cataract operation failed to restore vision around 25 years ago. He lives in a village in NEPAL and I will appreciate if someone can come out with clear idea. I took him Moorefield Eye Hospital in London but the Doctors there couldn't find any treatment for him to restore his eyesight. I will be willing to take him to US but an anyone inform me more about it. Thanks TOI for this great news.

shaligram Aryal, London, United Kingdom

I think that this is proof of how much we have advanced, and if more money was put into such technology instead of wars, blundered government initiatives and red tape, then we would have advanced so much further. Hats off to the scientists who have put so much time effort and money into this miraculous piece of technology, and hope the future brings much more

Robin Wilson, Sheffield,

Tj, what is "sight" if not "light recognition"? The fact that the resolution is currently very low is only a reflection (no pun intended) of the infancy of the device.

Paul, Camberley, UK

wow...

Don H, Tempe, AZ

Great news

Irwin Scott Minnemann, Indianapolis, Indiana

What a superb break through and a wonderful opportunity for the blind. As an optometrist I see alot of different eye conditions some more devasting than others and the greatest fear for those affected is the loss of vision. This can have an enormous impact on the simplest of tasks, many of which we take for granted. Consider for a moment how you would cope if your lost your sight. For example, navigating your way around familiar ground such as, your own home, wearing a blindfold. This allows us a brief insight in the world of the blind, but imagine this every minute of every day of your life. Although it is still early days and the fine detail will be hard to discern, with advancing technology resolution will continue to improve providing the blind with a new lease of life.

David, bristol, UK

this is like the 16th claim of this in the news, get it right or stop coming out w/ the same revelations, its not actual sight its jst light recognition

tj, chicago, US

My niece is 15years, one eye blind, she had an accident . She would like to be a volunteered. She is in africa. Full story will follow.

Jackline Katowa, Dublin, Ireland