Evaluated for: Wet macular degeneration
How it works: Similar to the retinal chip, cortical implants are implantable devices that collect and record images and convert them into visual stimuli that can be processed by the brain. The difference between the cortical implant and the retinal chip is that instead of being implanted into the eye as the retinal chip is, cortical implants completely bypass the eye altogether and are instead implanted into a part of the brain known as the visual cortex, which is responsible for processing visual signals sent from the eye. The patient must wear special head gear which consists of a mini camera and sensor which are connected to a computer and then to the implant.
Most common side effects: Side infects may include infection and swelling on or around the implant. Another major problem with cortical implants is finding a material that is small enough, biocompatible (a material that won’t be rejected by the body), and that can be used long-term.
A thoughtful evaluation must be performed by a physician before taking any medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbs. The American Health Assistance Foundation does not endorse any of these medications, vitamins, or herbs. A qualified physician should make an informed decision based on each person's medical history and current prescriptions. The medication summaries provided do not include all of the information important for patient use and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The prescribing physician should be consulted concerning any questions that you have.
The information provided in this section of our website was obtained from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Eye institute (NEI), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Library of Medicine, and research scientists specializing in macular degeneration.
Reviewed on 2/14/2008