Technology Brings Sight To The Blind

It sounds like science fiction, but The Early Show has learned that a handful of blind adults now have some sense of sight, thanks to new medical technology called the Dobelle Artificial Vision System.

Dr. William Dobelle spent 30 years researching and developing his Artificial Vision System, which works by using a miniature television camera mounted on the lens of a patient's sunglasses. The camera sends images to a microcomputer worn on a belt around the waist.

The 10-pound, dictionary-sized microcomputer processes the data, sends signals to a stimulator and then to electrodes that have been surgically implanted on visual cortex areas on both sides of the brain. In other words, the brain cells that control sight are being artificially stimulated by small electric pulses. The electrodes are attached to a wire that protrudes through a small hole in the patient's skull and hooks up to the computer.

Dr. Dobelle first implanted a similar electrode in a volunteer in 1978. In April 2002, the procedure and accompanying technology were ready for the first commercial patients. Eight patients paid around $100,000 each and traveled to Portugal for the procedure, which has not yet been submitted to the FDA for approval. Eventually, Dr. Dobelle believes his vision system will become widely available all over the world.

"Remember the engineer on Star Trek who was blind? He wore those glasses,” said Dr. Dobelle. “They allowed him to see. That's the wave of the future, not Braille, not seeing eye dogs."

He can't give an exact time when he expects the technology to be offered in the U.S. Dr. Dobelle pointed out that most new medical advancements are accepted in other countries first.

Dr. Dobelle believes his vision system should benefit almost anyone who is blind or has very low vision. Exceptions include anyone who is blind as a result of serious brain damage or has a chronic infection. On his Web site, the doctor describes the surgery itself as quite simple and requiring only local anesthesia.

A patient identified only as Jens says the surgery has been a success in his case. He was one of the eight who paid to have the procedure preformed in April. Jens, 39, lost vision in one eye at age 17 and in his other at 20 — both due to accidents.

As he explained, the procedure actually consists of three parts — medical, technical and rehabilitation. He had the surgery and is currently in the midst of the "technical" stage. Once the electrodes are placed on the brain, the patient does not begin using the vision system full-time. All of the technology must be fined tuned on a patient-by-patient basis due to small differences in brain function. Currently, he wears the glasses and computer for an hour a day.

"I can tell a difference in my mood when they take it away - it's worse." Jens said. "I don't want to give it back."

Once doctors and researchers are convinced that Jens' computer is ready to go, they will send him home to begin his rehabilitation. He will learn on his own how to function with his new vision.

Jens has not seen anything for 19 years. But 30 minutes after donning his special glasses and computer belt, he was driving. Granted, it was only in a parking lot and he admits he could only see landmarks of shape and shadow, but it was still an immense feeling of freedom. His eyes need to learn to work again and his vision system still needs some adjustments. However, he is confident that his vision will continue to improve.

When asked in more detail what he can see, he says to imagine a paper cutout of a person. Fill that cutout shape with dots and then remove the cutout itself. That's what objects look like now.

"They've restored my fifth sense," Jens explained. "It doesn't matter how crude it is."