Those suffering blindness as a result of a rare disease may soon regain their sight, if the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approves the first-ever bionic eye.

The FDA was reportedly prepared to okay Second Sight’s Argus® II Retinal Prosthesis System, which is part “Six Million Dollar Man” and part “Star Trek: Next Generation.”

The Steve Austin part involves surgically implanting an artificial retina in patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disorder that causes retinal degeneration.

The Star Trek (NG) portion resembles the special glasses that the show’s character, Geordi La Forge, wore to help him see. In the case of the Argus II, advanced lens technology will wirelessly transmit signals to the implant, allowing patients to view the world once again.

It took more than 20 years of research to develop the technology, and about $200 million in both public and private investments for Second Sight to develop its own system.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

First Bionic Eye for US Market Awaits Approval from FDA (by Jennifer Hicks, Forbes)

Why A Startup, Not Big Pharma, Leads Development of a Bionic Eye (by Shirley Wang, Wall Street Journal)

The Quest to Create a Bionic Eye Gets Clearer (by Shirley Wang, Wall Street Journal)

Miami Doctors Use Tooth to Restore Woman’s Sight (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)