Retina Implant Care - Basics, Procedures and Follow-up

It was more than 20 years ago when a few visionaries in retina research and electro engineering proposed concepts for implantable retinal prostheses to treat blindness. At that time the ophthalmic community was not very enthusiastic and many people even so called experts thought, that the realization of such a prosthesis is another chapter of a science fiction fairy tale. But more and more researchers joined the retina implant community, many new ideas came up, and international conferences needed more and more time slots for retina implant sessions. The community grew and a highly interdisciplinary type of translational research started in the 1990ies in several countries around the globe dedicated to the development of implantable retina prostheses restoring some degree of vision for the blind. Retina Implant Care provides comprehensive insights into the various aspects of such retinal prostheses. The first implants for electrical restoration of vision in blind subjects are now approved and available in many countries. In twelve concise and straight forward chapters facts on retinal prosthesis development and application are covered. A special focus is given on the clinical use, the surgical methods, the postoperative care and the postimplantation rehabilitation phase.