A British pensioner, the first person has equipped in the world with a bionic eye to a historic process, of hope for hundreds of thousands of people the most common form of blindness fix.
Is Ray Flynn, 80, failed, associated with faces like macular degeneration with age (AMD) eight years ago a devastating disease, 500,000 people has been developed in the UK, acts to make.
But in June, it was with an electrical implant, a video stream transmits directly to intact cells in the retina of a small camera glasses are attached, respectively.
Mr. Flynn This means not only the faces of your family recognize and television with more details, but if you wear special glasses video, you can even see his eyes closed.
And he is the first person in the world that has both artificial and natural the combined vision.
"Now I can really see my brother's face," said the retired engineer Manchester.
"And watching Manchester United on TV is simple. I have central vision now I have not for eight years.
"Your eyes are the most precious. My brain is still trying to catch up and find out what's going on, but they said they will continue to improve."
There is currently no treatment for advanced AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in the United Kingdom with patients lose their ability to see in the middle of the field, making it difficult to read and recognize faces.
The bionic eye has been used successfully for people with retinitis pigmentosa state, but Paulo Stanga Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital wanted to know if it would work for people with AMD.
Mr. Flynn was fitted with the implant during the proceedings on June 16, and the system was activated on 1 July.
At once he was able to make the outlines of people and objects, even with eyes closed and Mr. Stanga hopes his vision will continue to improve.
"Flynn progress is truly remarkable," Stanga said. "It's the outlines of people and objects very effective.
"The dry form of AMD is a common, but not curable. In the Western world, is the most common cause of vision loss. Unfortunately, with an aging population, it is becoming more common.
"This technology is revolutionary and change the patient's life - to restore some functional vision and help them to live more independently.
"As for me, the first test results are a success, and I hope to treat more patients with dry AMD."
Implant functions by the patient mounted on glasses, the video images captured by a miniature camera in a series of short electrical pulses which are transferred to the surface of the retina wirelessly to the electrodes.
These pulses stimulate the remaining retinal cells resulting pattern corresponding light perception in the brain. Patients learn to interpret these visual patterns to restore vision.
Cathy Yelf, CEO of macular company said: "This result is interesting, track the progress of these studies with great interest.
"Macular degeneration can be a devastating disease and many people are now concerned because we are living longer. This is the first test, but in the time of this research can be a very useful device for people who lead to lose their vision Central. We wish Prof Stanga well in their work. "
Called the Argus II implant Fund was created by Second Sight Medical Products, and are not available on the NHS. But Mr. Stanga believes that if the tests continue to be a success, will finally be in health care.
Cosendai Gregory, Vice President Europe for Second Sight Medical Products, said: "This is completely innovative research.
"This study aims to determine whether the maintenance of peripheral vision in dry AMD patients with severe vision loss - functionally blind patients - from the machine vision in their central visual field with its nature remaining peripheral vision and benefit.
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