They can allow patients to see light and make out big and dark objects; however, the artificial retina is in its infancy in terms of development, so currently they cannot help people see printed text or the detail of someone's face.
- The Department of Energy in America have set up an Artificial Retina Project in which they aim to create a retina to be implemented into a patient's eye that may be blind or have severe sight problems. The present day artificial retinas that you mention have been used since 2002; however, there have only been six blind individuals that have had the retinas fitted. They were all successful, and there is a very intricate process that takes place.
- In order to implant it correctly, three incisions will need to be made on the white part of the eye but keep in mind that the slits will only be as big as the width of a needle. Once the incisions have been made then the surgeon will suck out the gel that centers in the middle of the eye with a small vacuum device and then put saline in its place.
- After that, a small cut is made in the retina in order for them to lift up a part of the retina from the back by injecting it with fluid. A small space will be made available for the retina device to be put in due to this process. The artificial retina is now in place and should function.