Retinal implant
Retinal Implant
A retinal implant (pronounced: /rɛˈtaɪnəl ˈɪmplænt/) is a biomedical intervention that involves the implantation of a device into the eye to restore lost vision. The technology is primarily designed for patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), two of the most common causes of blindness.
Etymology
The term "retinal implant" is derived from the words "retina" and "implant". The word "retina" comes from the Latin word 'rete', meaning 'net', due to the net-like arrangement of cells in the eye. The word "implant" is derived from the Latin word 'implantare', meaning 'to insert'.
Types of Retinal Implants
There are two main types of retinal implants: epiretinal implants and subretinal implants. Epiretinal implants are placed on the inner surface of the retina, while subretinal implants are placed behind the retina.
Epiretinal Implants
Epiretinal implants are placed on the inner surface of the retina. They work by bypassing the damaged photoreceptors and directly stimulating the remaining retinal cells to send visual information to the brain.
Subretinal Implants
Subretinal implants are placed behind the retina. They replace the function of the damaged photoreceptors. The implant receives visual information and converts it into electrical signals that stimulate the remaining retinal cells.
Related Terms
- Retinitis pigmentosa: A group of rare, genetic disorders that involve a breakdown and loss of cells in the retina.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD): A medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field.
- Epiretinal implant: A type of retinal implant that is placed on the inner surface of the retina.
- Subretinal implant: A type of retinal implant that is placed behind the retina.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Retinal implant
- Wikipedia's article - Retinal implant
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