1. Bionic Eyes Robert Blease

2. Target Current designs are made for patients with degenerative eye disorders. The most common disorder currently treatable is retinitis pigmentosa, affecting about 1 in 4000

3. Argus II A retinal prosthesis system Only FDA approved system Initial cost is roughly $100,000 usd Has been able to give people the ability read again.

4. How it Works Camera sends image to visual processing unit Unit sends wireless signal to epiretinal chip.

5. Bionic Vision Australia Currently working on 2 prototypes, a high acuity and a wide vision High acuity 1024 electrode array for facial analysis abilities Wide vision 98 electrode array for navigating everyday life

6. University of Monash Beginning trials of visual cortex implant in 2014 Will allow for treatment of nearly 85% of all legally blind patients Does not require a working optic nerve

7. Difficulties Very Expensive All current systems require patient to have had vision before Patient needs to be trained on how to see

8. Citations http://www.gizmag.com/argus-ii-becomes-first-bionic-eye-to-gain-approval-for- sale-in-us/26295/pictures#4 http://www.gizmag.com/argus-ii-becomes-first-bionic-eye-to-gain-approval-for- sale-in-us/26295/pictures#4 The Argus II Epiretinal Prosthesis System Allows Letter and Word Reading And Long Term Function In Patients with Profound Vision Loss British Journal of Ophthalmology Volume 7, Issue 5, 632-636 Bionic Vision Australia, Retrieved November 1, 2013 http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/prototypes/high_acuity Argus II eye lets the blind see, even read, Retrieved November 1, 2013 http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/18/bionic-eyes-argus-ii- approved-fda Wireless bionic eye created by Monash University, Retrieved November 1, 2013 http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/wireless-bionic-eye-created-by- monash-university/story-fneuz9ev-1226659600937 Bionic Vision, Retrieved November 1, 2013 http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/prototypes/high_acuity http://bionicvision.org.au/eye/prototypes/high_acuity Monash University Bioniceye, Retrieved November 2, 2013 http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/help.html