TY - JOUR
T1 - The Argus II epiretinal prosthesis system allows letter and word reading and long-term function in patients with profound vision loss
AU - Da Cruz, Lyndon
AU - Coley, Brian F.
AU - Dorn, Jessy
AU - Merlini, Francesco
AU - Filley, Eugene
AU - Christopher, Punita
AU - Chen, Fred K.
AU - Wuyyuru, Varalakshmi
AU - Sahel, Jose
AU - Stanga, Paulo
AU - Humayun, Mark
AU - Greenberg, Robert J.
AU - Dagnelie, Gislin
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - Background Retinal prosthesis systems (RPS) are a novel treatment for profound vision loss in outer retinal dystrophies. Ideal prostheses would offer stable, longterm retinal stimulation and reproducible spatial resolution in a portable form appropriate for daily life. Methods We report a prospective, internally controlled, multicentre trial of the Argus II system. Twenty-eight subjects with light perception vision received a retinal implant. Controlled, closed-group, forced-choice letter identification, and, open-choice two-, three-and fourletter word identification tests were carried out. Results The mean±SD percentage correct letter identification for 21 subjects tested were: letters L, T, E, J, F, H, I, U, 72.37plusmn;24.6% system on and 17.7±12.9% system off; letters A, Z, Q, V, N, W, O, C, D, M, 55.0 ±27.4% system on and 11.8%±10.7% system off, and letters K, R, G, X, B, Y, S, P, 51.7±28.9% system on and 15.3±7.4% system off. (p<0.001 for all groups). A subgroup of six subjects was able to consistently read letters of reduced size, the smallest measuring 0.9 cm (1.7°) at 30 cm, and four subjects correctly identify unrehearsed two-, three-and four-letter words. Average implant duration was 19.9 months. Conclusions Multiple blind subjects fitted with the Argus II system consistently identified letters and words using the device, indicating reproducible spatial resolution. This, in combination with stable, long-term function, represents significant progress in the evolution of artificial sight.
AB - Background Retinal prosthesis systems (RPS) are a novel treatment for profound vision loss in outer retinal dystrophies. Ideal prostheses would offer stable, longterm retinal stimulation and reproducible spatial resolution in a portable form appropriate for daily life. Methods We report a prospective, internally controlled, multicentre trial of the Argus II system. Twenty-eight subjects with light perception vision received a retinal implant. Controlled, closed-group, forced-choice letter identification, and, open-choice two-, three-and fourletter word identification tests were carried out. Results The mean±SD percentage correct letter identification for 21 subjects tested were: letters L, T, E, J, F, H, I, U, 72.37plusmn;24.6% system on and 17.7±12.9% system off; letters A, Z, Q, V, N, W, O, C, D, M, 55.0 ±27.4% system on and 11.8%±10.7% system off, and letters K, R, G, X, B, Y, S, P, 51.7±28.9% system on and 15.3±7.4% system off. (p<0.001 for all groups). A subgroup of six subjects was able to consistently read letters of reduced size, the smallest measuring 0.9 cm (1.7°) at 30 cm, and four subjects correctly identify unrehearsed two-, three-and four-letter words. Average implant duration was 19.9 months. Conclusions Multiple blind subjects fitted with the Argus II system consistently identified letters and words using the device, indicating reproducible spatial resolution. This, in combination with stable, long-term function, represents significant progress in the evolution of artificial sight.
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U2 - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-301525
DO - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-301525
M3 - Article
C2 - 23426738
AN - SCOPUS:84876284522
SN - 0007-1161
VL - 97
SP - 632
EP - 636
JO - British Journal of Ophthalmology
JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology
IS - 5
ER -