The bionic eyes have it

The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, has announced that two research teams will share in funding of $50 million to develop a bionic eye.

“The Australian government’s investment will help us to give and restore sight to thousands of people around the world,” Senator Carr said.

The first research team will receive $42 million and is made up of four universities: The Universities of Melbourne, New South Wales, Western Sydney and The Australian National University. Collaborators include the National ICT Australia, the Bionic Ear Institution and the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

The second successful team involves Monash University and the Alfred Hospital, and will receive $8 million.

“Both research teams submitted leading-edge, innovative bionic eye concepts that include significant collaboration and show an exceptional ability to deliver health and economic benefits,” Senator Carr said.

“Team one will utilise a technology that implants a device in the rear of the eye (the retina) to enable vision to blind patients suffering from degenerative retinal conditions.

“The second team aims to develop a device that is implanted directly on the region of the brain that processes vision signals (the visual cortex). This will provide treatment for progressive blindness.

“I congratulate both teams for receiving this funding and I look forward to watching their research evolve into the development of a bionic eye, which will ensure Australia maintains its position as a world leader in bionics.”

Funding is being awarded under the Australian Research Council’s Research in Bionic Vision Science and Technology Initiative, which was developed in response to the Australia 2020 Summit.

For more information, visit http://www.arc.gov.au/ncgp/sri/bionic_eye.htm.