Seeing Despite Blindness

Amazing Scientific Breakthrough in Spain

Source:  Stock Eye Image

Source:  Patient Bernadetta Gomez

Blind Woman Sees Again

In Spain, a 57 year old blind woman, Bernadetta Gomez who lost her sight 16 years ago, can see again.  This miraculous outcome is thanks to a breakthrough technology system developed by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, the director of neuro-engineering at the University of Miguel Hernandez.  Ms. Gomez is able to see light, letters, people, objects and even play basic video games.  The images are sent directly to her brain via a brain implant.  It's a world first and the images are generated in the brain.  The innovative system has nothing to do with the eyes.

How It Works

Doctors placed a tiny implant directly in Ms. Gomez' brain.  The implant sends signals directly to her brain's visual cortex.  As part of the system, the team embedded a camera into a pair of glasses. The camera records the patient's field of vision and sends it to a computer.  The computer converts the data into electrical impulses that the brain can receive and read.  The brain forwards the information to the brain implant via a cable that's plugged into a port in her skull.  Finally, the implant stimulates neurons in her visual cortex which she sees as images.

Extraordinary Scientific Results

These results are so extraordinary they've just been published in the MIT Technology Review and by Singularity University's Hub.  And, this is at a very early stage in Dr. Fernandez' system which he hopes will restore vision to many more patients like Ms. Gomez who have lost their sight from toxic optic neuropathy.