Invention: Vision amplifier - tech - 22 December 2008 - New Scientist

[dracodraconis]

Invention: Vision amplifier - tech - 22 December 2008 - New Scientist

A University of Colorado researcher has applied for a patent on a potentially new ways to improve the vision of people with retinal damage. He proposes injecting quantum dots coated with a bioactive material into the retina. The dots fluoresce when struck by light, effectively amplifying the optical signal so that it can be more easily detected by retinal cells. So far, the method has only been tested on rats who can't say whether or not their vision has been improved, but did show greater electrical activity after the injection. The method also has the benefit of requiring no power source.