A new retinal implant that could significantly improve the potential for blind people to see again has been developed with the use of platinum.

A tiny implant placed on the surface of the eye can receive wireless signals from an external camera and then transmit these signals to tiny, hair-thin electrodes made of platinum that have been surgically implanted on the retina. 

These platinum electrodes deliver electrical signals to the nerve cells in the eye, in a similar way to that of light-sensitive cells, thereby allowing the blind person to 'see' once more.

It is hoped that the new implant, which also has a silicon and platinum chip, can be used to help patients who have suffered sight loss from degenerative retinal disease to have some vision restored.

Scientists who have been developing the technology at the University of Southern California (USC) have revealed that they are planning to test the implant and James Weiland, one of those involved in its creation, explained that the tests will be interesting even for the experts.

He told MIT Technology Review: "My expectation, without really knowing what is going to happen, is that this will be useful for people in allowing them to find a lit doorway or the edge of an object when going into a room."

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