A collaborative effort between University College London and Moorfields Eye Hospital has yielded the PRIMA artificial vision electronic eye implant—a groundbreaking device designed to restore reading ability in blind patients. During clinical trials, 38 patients suffering from central vision loss due to "dry age-related macular degeneration" participated. Remarkably, 84% of these participants regained the ability to recognize letters post-surgery, with an average improvement of five lines on the standard vision chart. Prior to the procedure, most patients struggled to distinguish even basic visual cues.

This innovative implant marks the first of its kind capable of restoring reading functionality to eyes rendered completely blind. The surgical procedure, performed by skilled ophthalmologists, takes under two hours and involves implanting a microchip beneath the central retina. Following surgery, patients are required to wear augmented reality glasses linked to a compact computer system. This setup employs AI algorithms to process visual data, thereby creating new visual perceptions for the user.

Patients undergo several months of rehabilitation training to adapt to their new visual capabilities. Importantly, no decline in peripheral vision has been observed among participants. Sheila Irvine, a British participant in the trials, shared her experience, stating that she was able to read fine print after the surgery—a development that significantly boosted her optimism and quality of life.