The doctors in the british city of Manchester have succesfully made the world’s first bionic eye implant. The 80 year old, Ray Flynn, who lost his central vision to dry AMD, has had most of his vision restored after having an invention which converts video captured from a camera mounted on his glasses to impulses, which are wirelessly sent to his brain using a surgically inserted retina implant.

The operation, which took four hours, was led by Paulo Stanga, consultant ophthalmologist and vitreo-retinal surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and professor of ophthalmology and retinal regeneration at the University of Manchester.

“Mr Flynn’s progress is truly remarkable, he is seeing the outline of people and objects very effectively.“I think this could be the beginning of a new era for patients with sight loss.” – Paulo Stanga said.

Ray Flynn, the patient, hopes to be able to perform day-to-day actions again, such as shopping at watching a soccer match.

The camera itself does not give Ray Flynn detailed vision, but it should make it possible for him to see better with time.

Go to the BBC’s website to read the entire article.

Sources: BBC and Second Sight