Long-term Repeatability and Reproducibility of Phosphene Characteristics in Chronically Implanted Argus II Retinal Prosthesis Subjects.

Purpose: Previously published literatures of acute studies on few subjects have shown contradictory evidence on the reproducibility and characteristics of the elicited phosphenes, despite using the same stimulating parameters with epiretinal electrode arrays. In this study, we set out to investigate the long-term repeatilibity and reproducibility of phosphenes in subjects chronically implanted with the Argus II retinal prosthesis (Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., Sylmar, CA, USA).

Punctal function in lacrimal drainage: the 'pipette sign' and functional ectropion.

Background: The aim was to assess the movements of the inferior punctum during blinking and discuss pertinent clinical applications.

Methods: This is a prospective, non-comparative observational case-series examining the function of inferior punctum during blinking using video recordings of the blinking action at the slitlamp with slow-motion analysis and comparison.

Results: In all 56 eyes of 28 patents, supero-medial movement of the lower punctum toward the medial canthus, together with a medially directed protrusion of the inferior punctum was noted.

A review and update on the current status of retinal prostheses (bionic eye).

Introduction/background: The Argus® II is the first retinal prosthesis approved for the treatment of patients blind from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), receiving CE (Conformité Européenne) marking in March 2011 and FDA approval in February 2013. Alpha-IMS followed closely and obtained CE marking in July 2013. Other devices are being developed, some of which are currently in clinical trials.