Last updated: 2020-03-01
Requirements
The requirements necessary for replacement vision functionality involve the following high-level elements.
Photon Reception
Status: Viable
Organic Model: the Retina utilizes Rods (luminocity, low-lux sensitivity, low resolution) and Cones (color, high-lux sensitivity, high resolution).
Engineered Models: a wide array of commercially available, high-quality, and well understood options include CCD, CMOS, etc.
Focusing Lens
Status: Semi-viable
Organic Model: muscle-controlled membrane which functions as a flexible optical lens.
Engineered Models: mechanical multi-lens systems are currently available commercially, high-quality, and well understood. Advances in soft robotics and materials may make efforts to make full-function, drop-in replacement options (a full-function Accomodating Intraocular Lens) possible.
Directional Control
Status: Research Phase
Organic Model: muscle-controlled motion of the eye within its socket.
Engineered Models: existing technology only functions by utilizing remaining eye muscle tissue. There are no engineered replacements for the eye muscle tissue itself at this time.
Neural Translation
Status: Semi-viable
Organic Model: the retina translates signals from Rods and Cones to the optical nerve.
Engineered Models: electrode arrays directly stimulate the optical nerve. Due to the number of neural connections inherent in the optical nerve, resolution is currently very low, regardless of the resolution of any engineered sensors providing input.
Neural Transmission
Status: Research Phase
Organic Model: the optical nerve directly connects the eye to the brain.
Engineered Models: there are no existing engineered replacements for the optical nerve at this time.
Available Devices
This device only offers rudimentary, high-contrast vision capabilities.
