BOSTON (June 28, 2017) – New England Eye Center doctors Michelle Liang and Andre Witkin recently performed the first “bionic eye” implant in New England here at Tufts Medical Center. The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis system is an implant for the eye that can partially restore vision for patients who are blind from Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Michelle Liang, MD
New England Eye Center
Andre J. Witkin, MD
New England Eye Center
The Argus II is an electrode implant that receives signals from an external video processing unit and is based on what the patient sees through a video camera housed in special glasses. The video is processed and signals are sent wirelessly to the implant to stimulate the retinal cells and transmit visual information to the brain, creating the perception of patterns of light. Over time, users learn how to interpret these visual patterns as objects and shapes.
About New England Eye Center
New England Eye Center (NEEC) is the ophthalmology department for Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine. New England Eye Center offers a full range of comprehensive ophthalmology including treatments for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, pediatric ophthalmology and aesthetic surgery. New England Eye Center is also a leading provider of Laser Vision Correction in Greater Boston and New England offering a full range of vision correction procedures for all types of eye conditions.