10 blind Brits to be given life-changing ‘bionic eyes’ worth £85,000 on the NHS
If successful, the device will be rolled out to 300 more patients with Retinis Pigmentosa, a disorder that causes loss of sight
BLIND Brits are to get £85,000 “bionic eyes” on the NHS so they can see again.
Two hospitals are preparing to offer the pioneering implant to ten patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa next year.
If successful, the NHS plans to roll out the device to the 300 or so other RP sufferers.
The inherited disorder causes gradual deterioration of light-detecting cells at the back of the eye, leading to blindness. There is no cure.
Grandad Keith Hayman, 68, of Fleetwood, Lancs, was one of the first in the world to get the implant in a trial.
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A camera in his glas-ses wirelessly sends im- ages to a sensor impl-anted in his right eye.
That stimulates optic nerves with electrical pulses which the brain decodes to give basic vision.
Before getting the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, Keith could not tell day from night.
Now he can see Christmas tree lights and make a cup of tea.
Keith, given the “life changing, wonderful” op by Prof Paulo Stanga, called it a human right for blind people.
Dr Jonathan Fielden, of NHS England said: “This highly innovative NHS-funded procedure could change lives.”