First
electronic retinas implanted in the UK
(May 4, 2012) Surgeons in
Oxford are the first in the UK to successfully implant an electronic retina
into the back of an eye.
On 22 March
2012, Chris James became the first patient in the UK to receive this
ground-breaking surgery as part of a clinical trial being carried out at John
Radcliffe Hospital and King's College Hospital in London.
Mr James's
operation took place at the Oxford Eye Hospital with the surgical team led by
Professor Robert MacLaren.
He was
assisted by Mr Tim Jackson, a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at King's College
Hospital in London. The following week, a second patient, Robin Millar, a 60
year old music producer from London, received a retinal implant at King's
College Hospital, with Professor MacLaren assisting Mr Jackson.
Both
patients were able to detect light immediately after the electronic retinas
were switched on, and are now beginning to experience some restoration of
useful vision. Further operations are now planned for other suitable patients.