Sep 11, 2025
A Glimpse Into the Future: Bionic Eye Technology
On September 10, 2025, Fighting Blindness Canada hosted a View Point webinar with Dr. Daniel Palanker, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University. Dr. Palanker is a leader in the development of retinal prostheses—devices often called the “bionic eye.”
Different Types of Prostheses
There are several kinds of prostheses being studied today. Some sit under the retina (subretinal), others rest on top of the retina (epiretinal), and some bypass the eye altogether by stimulating the brain directly (cortical implants). Each approach has different strengths depending on the condition being treated.
Dr. Palanker’s talk focused mainly on the PRIMA retinal prosthesis, developed by Pixium Vision and currently in clinical trials. This system is designed for people with geographic atrophy, a form of advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
How PRIMA Works
PRIMA is a tiny electronic chip placed under the retina, where photoreceptors have been lost. Patients wear special glasses with a camera that captures images and projects them onto the implant using invisible infrared light. The implant then stimulates remaining retinal cells so the brain can “see” patterns, letters, and shapes.
What Patients Experience
In clinical trials with more than 40 participants in Europe, most people improved by an average of five lines on an eye chart. Some were able to read large print, recognize objects, and complete daily activities like cooking or playing cards. The vision restored so far is in shades of gray, not color, but many participants find it meaningful and useful. With training, patients’ brains also adapt, helping them make better use of the new signals.
Limits and Future Directions
While results in AMD are promising, it is important to note that this level of restored vision may not yet be possible for people with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), such as retinitis pigmentosa. Because IRDs often involve longer-lasting and more widespread damage to the retina, prostheses for these conditions may provide less detailed vision—mainly flashes of light or outlines. Research is ongoing to see whether PRIMA could help in conditions like retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease.
The next generation of the implant is being designed with smaller pixels, which could offer clearer images and allow patients to read smaller print. Software improvements like electronic zoom and image stabilization are also being tested.
Looking Ahead
The PRIMA system is still in clinical trials and not yet available as a standard treatment. Approval processes can take time, but Fighting Blindness Canada will continue to share updates as the research moves forward.
Dr. Palanker reminded us that, like cochlear implants for hearing loss, retinal prostheses may one day become a common and life-changing option for vision loss. While challenges remain, this groundbreaking research offers real hope to people living with blinding eye diseases.
Questions about your eye health? Reach out to our Health Information Line to learn more about how we can support you: 1-888-626-2995 or healthinfo@fightingblindness.ca.
Join the Fight!
Learn how your support is helping to bring a future without blindness into focus! Be the first to learn about the latest breakthroughs in vision research and events in your community by subscribing to our e-newsletter that lands in inboxes the beginning of each month.
