Advanced research in the optic nerve prosthesis

Abstract

Artificial vision research refers to the implantation of different visual prostheses at diverse parts of visual pathway by artificial methods,in order to help blind patients to obtain some useful vision.Among visual prostheses,the optic nerve prosthesis has its own superiority,and it seems especially important for the patients who lost their retina.Based on the physiological basis of optic nerve' s anatomical characteristics,and the principles that the current could replace the light to produce visual perception,the optic nerve prosthesis acquires the images through the external device,and then turns the images into the electrical signals which can be detected by brain.Afterwards,the electrical signals can be transmitted to the internal device and communicate with the human nervous system.Breaking the limitation of the retinal prosthesis implanting method,optic nerve prosthesis can directly stimulate the optic nerve and it is suitable for the patients whose retina layers are all injured.However,the optic nerve prosthesis has its own limitations. Key words: visual prosthesis; optic nerve prosthesis