MIT Technology Review

This implant can restore sight for patients with macular degeneration

The Prima system lets people with advanced AMD read and do crosswords. Here’s how it works.

Tarun Mottlia

Via MIT Technology Review

Oct 16, 2026·Excerpt

This implant can restore sight for patients with macular degeneration — Image: The retina processes light in three layers of cells: Photoreceptors convert light into electricity, bipolar cells process that signal, and ganglion cells transmit the signal to the optic nerve and the brain. Prima replaces the photoreceptors.

The Prima system lets people with advanced AMD read and do crosswords. Here’s how it works.

October 16, 2026

Courtesy of Prima

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects more than 5 million people around the world. And until now, no treatment could restore their vision. The Prima system, which was approved in Europe in July and is awaiting FDA clearance in the US, changes that. It combines a retinal implant with camera-equipped eyeglasses to improve sight in patients who develop a…

Continue reading on MIT Technology Review ↗

Courtesy

This story was originally published by MIT Technology Review. All rights belong to the original publisher.

Read the original on technologyreview.com ↗

This implant can restore sight for patients with macular degeneration

Courtesy

Have a story tip, correction or partnership idea?