PRIMA System Achieves Breakthrough in Vision Restoration for Atrophic Macular Degeneration

Atrophic Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) has long stood as a primary cause of irreversible loss of central vision among the elderly population, impacting more than 5 million individuals worldwide. This progressive depletion of photoreceptors previously rendered the condition untreatable. However, the recent development of the wireless retinal system known as PRIMA signals a major technological breakthrough, offering a new horizon of hope for patients suffering from this debilitating disease.

The innovative PRIMA complex is engineered to restore the central visual functions that have been lost. The device is composed of several key elements: a miniature photoelectric microchip, measuring just 2x2 mm, which is surgically implanted beneath the retina; specialized augmented reality glasses equipped with a camera; and an external processor. This integrated system functions by converting visual information from the surrounding environment into signals that the brain can effectively interpret. The operational principle involves the camera within the glasses projecting the scene using invisible infrared light onto the implant. The implant then transforms this light into electrical impulses, which subsequently stimulate the remaining viable nerve cells within the retina.

The efficacy of the PRIMA system was conclusively demonstrated during an international clinical investigation. The findings from this study were published on October 20, 2025, in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. Data analysis collected over a 12-month observation period involving 32 participants revealed impressive outcomes. Specifically, 26 individuals experienced a significant improvement in visual acuity, and 27 regained the ability to read letters and numbers. On average, participants achieved progress equivalent to an increase of 25 letters on a standard chart, which translates to approximately five lines of vision improvement. Furthermore, a highly encouraging statistic showed that over 80% of the subjects improved their vision by a minimum of 10 positions. The patients enrolled in the study, conducted across 17 centers in five European countries, had an average age of 78.9 years.

Professor José-Alain Sahel, a lead author of the research and Director of the UPMC Vision Institute, commented that this marks the first instance where an attempt at vision restoration has achieved such compelling results across a substantial number of people. While some adverse effects were recorded, such as elevated intraocular pressure, the majority resolved quickly. The researchers concluded that the potential benefits substantially outweigh the risks involved. Ophthalmologist Mahi Muqit emphasized that patients require intensive rehabilitation to retrain the brain's perception to process these new electrical signals effectively. This technology, building upon the foundational work of Professor Daniel Palanker from Stanford University, represents a paradigm shift in treating late-stage AMD, providing a tangible tool for recovering a degree of central vision and enhancing personal autonomy.