About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The future of ocular prosthetics is in small, implantable retinal systems that will restore vision to the impaired patient. However we are several years from such developments, and only those with the means will be able to afford them at first.

Current prosthetics are made of ceramic or plastic, with detailed artistic renditions of the eyeball. While they look realistic, the image is stagnant, and can be delineated quite easily from the true eye.

This is the first stage of our project -- we will build a fully functioning prototype 2-3 times the size of a normal human eye; the ultimate goal is to create a more realistic prosthesis that is mechanistically functional. Target users are current and former military personnel who sustained injuries resulting in the need of an eye prosthesis.

What is the significance of this project?

The eyes are the most important facial feature. It is important to be able to look into a person's eyes during human-human interaction. In contemporary times physical image and preservation is very important; people living with prosthetics face an especially difficult challenge when it comes to image.

Our end goal is to come as close as possible to eliminating the aesthetic difference between a real eye, and our light-sensitive prosthesis. We also intend to make these affordable under typical insurance.

Limb prosthesis technology has advanced exponentially since the wooden peg and hook were state of the art. However the eye prosthesis technology has not advanced as far. Soldiers of war who suffer severe eye trauma will benefit from a more realistic prosthesis as they adjust and recover.

What are the goals of the project?

We want to explore the usage of small photosensors combined with bio-compatible materials to mimic the natural response of the iris to ambient and artificial light.

With this funding we will be able to build a large scale, fully functioning prototype.