A bionic eye: performance of the Argus II retinal prosthesis in low-vision and social rehabilitation of patients with end-stage retinitis pigmentosa

Abstract

The death of outer retinal layers occurring in retinitis pigmentosa causes severe visual impairment and often leads to total blindness. Inner retinal layers are spared, though, which provides a possibility of inducing visual perception by direct electrical stimulation of intact retinal cells. This article presents clinical outcomes of two patients who were the first in Russia to have received the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System. Both implantations were successful. No complications were reported throughout the entire follow-up period. Upon completing 3 rehabilitation sessions, the patients were able to navigate indoors and outdoors, locate small high-contrast objects, discern contours of large objects and people’s silhouettes.