California-based Second Sight has developed the “retinal prosthesis” Argus II, about the successful clinical trials of which we have already reported. Its principle of operation is based on electrical stimulation of the retina, which allows for the restoration of visual perception. Unfortunately, the system is dauntingly complex and just as expensive: Argus II and the four-hour operation to install the system in the patient’s body under general anesthesia will cost $115,000. Moreover, this is not the end of the difficulties for a person who wants to restore their vision: they will have to learn to interpret the signals sent by the system to the brain.
И пока в кармане пачка милкиуэйев - значит все не так уж плохо на сегодняшний день