A groundbreaking clinical trial has demonstrated that a tiny wireless implant called PRIMA, combined with augmented reality glasses, can help some patients with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) regain reading ability, marking a significant milestone in vision restoration.

The PRIMA implant is a subretinal photovoltaic device inserted beneath the retina, which activates about a month after surgery to convert visual scenes captured by glasses into electrical signals sent to the brain, enabling patients to perceive shapes and patterns.

Patients undergo extensive training to interpret the signals, with the procedure being minimally invasive, taking less than two hours, and performed by trained surgeons, with no significant decline in peripheral vision observed.

Developed by Stanford professor Daniel Palanker and manufactured by Science Corporation, the device is not yet fully approved in the U.S. or Europe but aims to be affordable and accessible, with regulatory approval sought for commercial release.

Experts describe this development as a 'paradigm shift' in artificial vision, with hopes that the technology could become available on the NHS and transform treatment options for AMD patients.

While the results are promising, experts from the Macular Society note that the implant is not suitable for those born blind due to lack of a functioning optic nerve, but it offers hope for individuals with progressive retinal degeneration.

Future plans include increasing the device's resolution through testing more advanced versions, which could improve visual acuity to near 20/20 and enhance features like face recognition and zoom capabilities.

Ongoing development aims to expand the device's application to other types of blindness caused by photoreceptor loss and to improve resolution and aesthetics, potentially influencing future neural and brain-computer interface technologies.

Current vision improvements are limited to black-and-white, but researchers aim to add grayscale and color functionalities in future iterations to better assist with face recognition and everyday tasks.

The system requires months of training for effective use, including adjusting zoom, contrast, and brightness, with users reporting high satisfaction and daily use for activities like reading and navigation.

Despite some minor surgical events, the safety profile of the device is acceptable, and the company behind it, Science Corporation, is seeking regulatory approval to bring the implant to market in Europe and the U.S.

Science Corporation, led by former Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, acquired the implant from bankrupt French startup Pixium Vision and is working on refining the device into sleeker, more portable versions to facilitate daily use.

The success of this trial paves the way for potential market approval, offering new hope for individuals with untreatable retinal degenerative conditions and marking a major advancement in vision restoration technology.