Light encountering the eye is sensed by cells expressing photoreceptors, which transform light signals into electric signals sensed by the retinal ganglion cells that transmit these signals to the brain. In degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, these light-sensitive cells gradually die off, resulting in progressive blindness.
To treat these diseases, some researchers are designing retinal prostheses that elucidate the “code” of electrical pulses recognized by retinal ganglion cells. Others are examining methods to make the ganglion cells themselves sensitive to light. And now a third strategy from researchers at Cornell University, published today (August 13) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, draws on both efforts by creating a system wherein the retinal ganglion cell code is transformed into light pulses that signal to transgenic neurons expressing with a light-sensitive receptor.
“We do need alternatives [to current devices],” said James Weiland at Doheny Vision ...
