However, in a potentially groundbreaking study, Dr. Raymond Lund, Vice-Chairman of the The Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board and program leader of The Foundation's transplantation program, found that transplanted photoreceptor cells restored vision in a rodent model with retinal degeneration. By partially detaching the retina and then relocating the macula away from the area of abnormal blood vessel growth, Dr. de Juan hopes to preserve, and in some cases possibly restore, central vision to patients in the early stages of the disease. If preliminary results prove promising, Dr. de Juan plans to launch full-scale clinical trials. Return to Top of Page Retinal Prosthesis Vision researchers are working to develop a computer chip that can restore rudimentary vision to patients with retinal degenerative diseases. Implanted on the surface of the retina or in the visual cortex of the brain, the computer chip would receive visual information transmitted from a camera mounted on a pair of glasses.
Early experiments suggest that such an approach is feasible.
Before this device can be tested in humans, researchers must overcome long-term biocompatibility issues and develop a safe and reliable power supply for the computer chip. Nonetheless, retinal prosthesis research is now reaching critical mass. This year, several new academic research groups presented study results at scientific meetings. The Foundation recently sent a delegation to meet with German researchers to plan and coordinate future clinical trials. Return to Top of Page Research Centers Research centers are an integral part of The Foundation's scientific program.