Key points from article :
Team led a revolutionary development of an artificial liquid retinal prosthesis.
This is to counteract effects of retinitis pigmentosa, other age-related macular degeneration.
This causes the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors of retina, resulting in blindness.
The artificial retina is biomimetic and offers high spatial resolution.
Consists of an aqueous component in which photoactive polymeric nanoparticles are suspended.
The size of which is 350 nanometers, and will replace damaged photoreceptors.
Natural light stimulation of nanoparticles activate retinal neurons spared from degeneration.
Thus mimicking the functioning of photoreceptors in healthy subjects.
The new liquid nature of the prosthesis ensures fast and less traumatic surgery.
Results prove it is a valid alternative to today's methods in restoring retinal neurons.
Research from Italian Institute of Technology, published in Nature Nanotechnology.
