Bionic eye ready for human trials

Robot eyes tested in sheep - 14th March 2022

Australian scientists have successfully put an electronic eye into some sheep. The animals spent three months with the artificial eyes. The sheep were part of a medical experiment to help people who are blind.

The sheep test was successful. The artificial eye, which is called Phoenix 99, didn't cause any problems. So now scientists would like to test the eye on humans.

The team of scientists is from the Australian universities of Sydney and New South Wales. They're very pleased with the results.

Phoenix 99 was placed behind the retina, at the back of the natural eye. This is the area of the eye which is sensitive to light.

Phoenix 99 is able to recognise any healthy retina cells. It uses these to send the brain information, which is then processed. The use of special technology is fairly new, but it's growing quickly. It could help more than 2.2 billion people around the world who have sight problems.

Eye expert Dr Hilal-Campo from New Jersey, USA, explains that artificial eyes come at a high price. But she's certain that developing technology will soon help more people.