Retinal Prosthesis

Retinal prostheses aim to restore vision in blind individuals by electrically stimulating surviving retinal cells, bypassing damaged photoreceptors. Current research heavily utilizes deep learning, particularly convolutional neural networks and spiking neural networks, to optimize the translation of visual input into effective stimulation patterns, improving the quality and efficiency of artificial vision. This involves developing sophisticated encoding algorithms that consider the biophysics of retinal cells and the limitations of electrode arrays, ultimately striving for more natural and detailed visual percepts. These advancements hold significant promise for improving the functionality and practicality of retinal implants, offering a potential pathway to significantly enhanced vision for those with retinal degeneration.