Science Corporation implants vision-restoring chip in first Stargardt disease patient
Science Corporation implanted its PRIMA retinal implant into a patient with Stargardt disease for the first time. The procedure took place at Sydney Eye Hospital as part of an ongoing trial, marking progress toward expanding the application of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology beyond age-related macular degeneration to inherited conditions like Stargardt disease. PRIMA is already commercially available in Europe for geographic atrophy but now aims to treat incurable diseases by restoring electrical signals from the eye to the brain. The implant, a 2mm x 2mm chip placed behind the retina, currently provides limited black-and-white vision with high contrast and sharpness. Science Corporation plans future iterations that will improve field of view and detail resolution. CEO Max Hodak emphasized how retinal prostheses are part of broader BCI development at his company. The implant works in conjunction with camera-equipped glasses to transmit visual data, mimicking natural photoreceptor function.
