Intermediate
Visual prosthesis
Also known as: Bionic eye, Retinal implant, Cortical visual prosthesis
A device that restores partial sight by stimulating the retina or visual cortex, producing spots of light called phosphenes.
Retinal implants, such as the PRIMA system now developed by Science Corp., stimulate surviving retinal cells. Cortical devices, such as Neuralink’s Blindsight, bypass the eye entirely and stimulate the visual cortex. Today’s devices produce low-resolution vision: patterns of light points rather than detailed images.
Last updated Sep 30, 2026. Educational content, not medical advice.