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Science Corporation, a brain-computer interface (BCI) developer, has announced promising early results from its clinical trials for the Prima retina implant. Founded by Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, the company launched the Science Eye BCI platform in 2022 to help restore vision in people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The Prima retinal implant, originally developed by Pixium Vision, uses a miniaturized, wireless subretinal device paired with glasses and a pocket computer to help patients with these forms of blindness.
In preliminary trials involving 38 patients with geographic atrophy (a severe form of AMD), the Prima implant restored "real form" vision, enabling patients to carry out high-acuity tasks such as reading and recognizing faces. The trial results demonstrated clinically significant improvements in vision, allowing patients to recognize letters and regain some central vision.
This marks the first time such vision restoration has been possible in patients with AMD, according to Dr. Frank Holz, the scientific coordinator of the study. Max Hodak added that this breakthrough represents a major milestone in the field of vision restoration, potentially leading to new treatment options for blind patients in the coming years.
