[Research progress of artificial vision].

Abstract

The development of artificial vision systems offers the potential to restore vision for patients with severe visual impairments or blindness. This review provides an overview of the current advancements in artificial vision technologies, focusing on retinal prostheses, optic nerve prostheses, cortical prostheses, and other emerging devices. Retinal prostheses are categorized into epiretinal devices, subretinal devices, and suprachoroidal implants, which work by electrically stimulating the retina or adjacent tissues to partially restore visual function. Optic nerve prostheses target the optic nerve to transmit visual signals directly to the brain, providing a potential solution for patients with retinal damage but intact optic nerves. Cortical prostheses bypass both the retina and optic nerve, directly stimulating the visual cortex, and hold promise for restoring vision in patients who are otherwise untreatable through conventional approaches. Additionally, this review discusses other emerging devices, including ultrasonic visual prostheses, liquid retina, and chemical retinal prostheses, which offer alternative strategies for specific patient populations. Finally, the review highlights cutting-edge advancements in nanomaterials, image processing, and novel electrode technologies, which are driving the development of artificial vision systems towards higher resolution, greater efficiency, and personalized solutions, paving the way for more effective visual restoration in the future.