Scientists at Brown University (USA) have developed a new method that could help treat eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Scientists at Brown University (USA) have developed a new method that could help treat eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa using tiny gold particles called plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs). These gold nanoparticles are extremely small - thousands of times thinner than a human hair - and could become the basis for an advanced system to restore lost vision.
Macular degeneration is a condition in which the central part of the retina (the macula) deteriorates over time, usually as people age. Meanwhile, retinitis pigmentosa is a rare genetic disorder that leads to the gradual loss of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina - the cells responsible for capturing light.
The team demonstrated that injecting gold nanoparticles into the retina and stimulating them with infrared laser light can activate other retinal cells such as bipolar cells and ganglion cells. These cells process visual signals and send them to the brain, bypassing photoreceptor cells that have been damaged by eye diseases.
Compared to existing treatments such as surgical electrode implants, the nanoparticle technique is less invasive and simpler. As lead researcher Jiarui Nie explains, ' This is a new type of retinal implant that has the potential to restore vision lost due to retinal degeneration without the need for complex surgery or genetic modification .' The scientists also point out that the injection procedure (called an intravitreal injection) is one of the simplest procedures in eye care.
The approach could also improve the patient's quality of vision. Surgical implants are often limited in their resolution, but the nanoparticle solution can be evenly distributed across the retina and cover the entire visual field. Furthermore, because the nanoparticles respond to infrared light rather than visible light, the system could preserve the patient's remaining vision.
Researchers tested the technique on mice and found positive results. They observed increased activity in the visual processing area of the brain, indicating improved vision. No toxic side effects were detected, even months after the procedure.
In the future, scientists hope to incorporate this technology into wearable devices such as glasses or goggles equipped with cameras and lasers. Although more research is needed before testing in humans, this new method promises to be a safe and effective treatment for retinal diseases.