Lan Yue1, Paulo Falabella2, Punita Christopher3, Varalakshmi Wuyyuru3, Jessy Dorn3, Paulo Schor4, Robert J Greenberg3, James D Weiland1, Mark S Humayun5. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. 2. Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil. 3. Second Sight Medical Products, Inc, Sylmar, California. 4. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: humayun@med.usc.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The Argus I implant is the first-generation epiretinal prosthesis approved for an investigational clinical trial by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Herein we report testing results obtained from a 10-year follow-up to study the physiologic effects of the bioelectronic visual implant after prolonged chronic electrical stimulation. DESIGN: Case report. PARTICIPANT: One man, 55 years of age when enrolled in the study, underwent surgical implantation of the Argus I in June 2004, followed by periodic tests from July 2004 through June 2014, spanning a total of 10 years. METHODS: The decade-long follow-up consisted of implant system performance tests, subject visual function evaluation, and implant-retina interface analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in electrode impedance and perceptual threshold over the time course; subject's performance on visual function task, orientation, and mobility tests; and optical coherence tomography data, fundus imaging, and fluorescein angiography results for the assessment of subject's implant-retina physical interface. RESULTS: Electrically elicited phosphenes were present 10 years after implantation of an epiretinal stimulator. The test subject not only was able to perceive phosphenes, but also could perform visual tasks at rates well above chance. CONCLUSIONS: This decade-long follow-up report provides further support for the use of retinal prostheses as a long-lasting treatment for some types of blindness.
PURPOSE: The Argus I implant is the first-generation epiretinal prosthesis approved for an investigational clinical trial by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Herein we report testing results obtained from a 10-year follow-up to study the physiologic effects of the bioelectronic visual implant after prolonged chronic electrical stimulation. DESIGN: Case report. PARTICIPANT: One man, 55 years of age when enrolled in the study, underwent surgical implantation of the Argus I in June 2004, followed by periodic tests from July 2004 through June 2014, spanning a total of 10 years. METHODS: The decade-long follow-up consisted of implant system performance tests, subject visual function evaluation, and implant-retina interface analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in electrode impedance and perceptual threshold over the time course; subject's performance on visual function task, orientation, and mobility tests; and optical coherence tomography data, fundus imaging, and fluorescein angiography results for the assessment of subject's implant-retina physical interface. RESULTS: Electrically elicited phosphenes were present 10 years after implantation of an epiretinal stimulator. The test subject not only was able to perceive phosphenes, but also could perform visual tasks at rates well above chance. CONCLUSIONS: This decade-long follow-up report provides further support for the use of retinal prostheses as a long-lasting treatment for some types of blindness.
Authors: Lauren N Ayton; Nick Barnes; Gislin Dagnelie; Takashi Fujikado; Georges Goetz; Ralf Hornig; Bryan W Jones; Mahiul M K Muqit; Daniel L Rathbun; Katarina Stingl; James D Weiland; Matthew A Petoe Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2019-12-10 Impact factor: 3.708
Authors: Laura Ferlauto; Marta Jole Ildelfonsa Airaghi Leccardi; Naïg Aurelia Ludmilla Chenais; Samuel Charles Antoine Gilliéron; Paola Vagni; Michele Bevilacqua; Thomas J Wolfensberger; Kevin Sivula; Diego Ghezzi Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2018-03-08 Impact factor: 14.919