Israelian scientists have developed an artificial retina that could restore sight in some patients.

Many research teams are striving to create a device that can replace retinas damaged by diseases such as AMD. However, all the devices offered so far use metallic parts, have encumbersome wiring or have low resolution.

The Isrealian researchers combined semiconductor nanorods and carbon nanotubes to create a wireless, flexible, light-sensitive film that could be used to replace a damaged retina. When they tested it on a chick retina, which is not yet light-sensitive, they found that the film absorbed light and sparked neuronal activity.

For further information: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/nl5034304