And the Blind Shall See

Puppycow · 27th September 2009, 09:55 PM

It looks like blindness might be curable in the near future. In fact, some experimental treatments have already been successful in partially restoring vision.
Burst of Technology Helps Blind to See

Quote:

Blindness first began creeping up on Barbara Campbell when she was a teenager, and by her late 30s, her eye disease had stolen what was left of her sight.

Reliant on a talking computer for reading and a cane for navigating New York City, where she lives and works, Ms. Campbell, now 56, would have been thrilled to see something. Anything.

Now, as part of a striking experiment, she can. So far, she can detect burners on her stove when making a grilled cheese, her mirror frame, and whether her computer monitor is on.

She is beginning an intensive three-year research project involving electrodes surgically implanted in her eye, a camera on the bridge of her nose and a video processor strapped to her waist.

The project, involving patients in the United States, Mexico and Europe, is part of a burst of recent research aimed at one of science’s most-sought-after holy grails: making the blind see.

Some of the 37 other participants further along in the project can differentiate plates from cups, tell grass from sidewalk, sort white socks from dark, distinguish doors and windows, identify large letters of the alphabet, and see where people are, albeit not details about them.

Linda Morfoot, 65, of Long Beach, Calif., blind for 12 years, says she can now toss a ball into a basketball hoop, follow her nine grandchildren as they run around her living room and “see where the preacher is” in church.

“For someone who’s been totally blind, this is really remarkable,” said Andrew P. Mariani, a program director at the National Eye Institute. “They’re able to get some sort of vision.”

What a wonderful era.

Roboramma · 28th September 2009, 12:49 AM

That's awesome. And this is just the beginning of the implications of this sort of technology.

McHrozni · 28th September 2009, 01:23 AM

Awsome! It's about time the neutral interface was made usable. There is a world of differance between not seeing anything, and being able to at least somewhat percieve your sorroundings visually. These stories may be just a start of something truly majestic, but even if the whole thing gets stuck on this 60-electrode camera, the differance is huge.

Other stories are also interesting, but less impressive

McHrozni

jasonpatterson · 28th September 2009, 06:12 AM

I thought I knew this story. Here's an earlier version of the same device (fewer pixels.) The story is titled The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear, oddly enough.

27th September 2009, 09:55 PM	#1
Puppycow Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 6,323	And the Blind Shall See It looks like blindness might be curable in the near future. In fact, some experimental treatments have already been successful in partially restoring vision. Burst of Technology Helps Blind to See Quote: Blindness first began creeping up on Barbara Campbell when she was a teenager, and by her late 30s, her eye disease had stolen what was left of her sight. Reliant on a talking computer for reading and a cane for navigating New York City, where she lives and works, Ms. Campbell, now 56, would have been thrilled to see something. Anything. Now, as part of a striking experiment, she can. So far, she can detect burners on her stove when making a grilled cheese, her mirror frame, and whether her computer monitor is on. She is beginning an intensive three-year research project involving electrodes surgically implanted in her eye, a camera on the bridge of her nose and a video processor strapped to her waist. The project, involving patients in the United States, Mexico and Europe, is part of a burst of recent research aimed at one of science’s most-sought-after holy grails: making the blind see. Some of the 37 other participants further along in the project can differentiate plates from cups, tell grass from sidewalk, sort white socks from dark, distinguish doors and windows, identify large letters of the alphabet, and see where people are, albeit not details about them. Linda Morfoot, 65, of Long Beach, Calif., blind for 12 years, says she can now toss a ball into a basketball hoop, follow her nine grandchildren as they run around her living room and “see where the preacher is” in church. “For someone who’s been totally blind, this is really remarkable,” said Andrew P. Mariani, a program director at the National Eye Institute. “They’re able to get some sort of vision.” What a wonderful era.
	__________________ I can't come to bed yet, honey. Someone on the Internet is wrong. -XKCD Philosophy is questions that may never be answered. Religion is answers that may never be questioned. -Anonymous Religions are God's way of telling us that He doesn't exist. -Pat Condell

28th September 2009, 12:49 AM	#2
Roboramma Illuminator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shanghai Posts: 3,374	That's awesome. And this is just the beginning of the implications of this sort of technology.
	__________________ "... when people thought the Earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the Earth was spherical they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the Earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the Earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together." Isaac Asimov www.reddoor-yoga.com

28th September 2009, 01:23 AM	#3
McHrozni Muse Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 691	Awsome! It's about time the neutral interface was made usable. There is a world of differance between not seeing anything, and being able to at least somewhat percieve your sorroundings visually. These stories may be just a start of something truly majestic, but even if the whole thing gets stuck on this 60-electrode camera, the differance is huge. Other stories are also interesting, but less impressive McHrozni
McHrozni Muse Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 691

28th September 2009, 06:12 AM	#4
jasonpatterson Philanthropic Misanthrope Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Macedonia, OH Posts: 908	I thought I knew this story. Here's an earlier version of the same device (fewer pixels.) The story is titled The blind shall see, the deaf shall hear, oddly enough.
	__________________ Sandra's seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins' gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susie spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. - Shel Silverstein