Helping The Blind To See
Mar 29th, 2007 by Beate
A new treatment is showing early promise for both felines and humans. Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia have developed a microchip implant that has helped numerous cats with severe visual impairment or complete blindness regain partial vision. The surgical implant compensates for the damage done by retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that leads to the death of retinal cells and, eventually, blindness. The microchip is equipped with thousands of tiny diodes that react to light, sending electrical impulses to different parts of the retina, which the brain interprets as an image. Because cat’s eyes are similar in size and construction, these scientists hope that one day this research and development will lead to a cure for blindness not only for companion animals, but also for humans.