How Solar Power Will Give Sight to the Blind

What else can solar do? Researchers in Stanford’s Ophthalmology Department have developed a photovoltaic eye implant that replaces missing photoreceptors in the eyes of the blind, converting solar power to create video images that the brain can visualize as sight. Previous implants failed because they had no way to deliver electricity to the chip that processes light and data inside the eye. The solution for Stanford researchers is solar power.

A small solar device, comprised of three layers of flexible solar cells mounted with silicon posts, is implanted behind the retina. Externally, a video camera and a pocket computer collect and process images, which are relayed to an LCD display inside special video goggles. The LCD display transmits infrared light pulses to the solar device behind the eye. The light pulses power the solar device which converts them into electric impulses, stimulating retinal neurons and allowing the brain to form a picture of the external video.

At this point, the researchers have produced a device that manufactures 20/200 vision, just above what is considered legally blind. They expect, however, to refine the process to manufacture 20/100 vision, which is enough to recognize faces and read large print. The device is also the first flexible eye implant available, which covers a larger portion of the retina, and in turn, allows the patient to see the entire visual field presented on the LCD display. Pure brilliance.

Via: Inhabitat

Photo Credit: DeafBlog & Inhabitat

Posted on January 1st in Solar Research by Dan.