Elon Musk's Neuralink to implant chip to restore eyesight

The brain chip company of Elon Musk, Neuralink is planning to achieve a major medical milestone by the end of 2025 with the first human implantation of its artificial visual prosthesis, Blindsight. The ambitious project aims to restore vision to people who are completely blind, including those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve or were born blind. Musk revealed that Neuralink hopes to perform the first human implant later this year.

The initial phase of vision restoration is expected to offer low-resolution sight, with future enhancements potentially enabling superior vision capabilities, including the perception of infrared, ultraviolet, and radar wavelengths.

Neuralink Eye Treatment

In September 2024, Neuralink's Blindsight implant received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough device" designation. This status is granted to medical devices that offer promising treatments for life-threatening conditions, aiming to expedite their development and review processes. Elon Musk expressed optimism about the device's potential, stating that it could enable those who have been blind from birth to see for the first time, assuming their visual cortex is intact.

Looking ahead, Neuralink plans to initiate human clinical trials for the Blindsight implant within the next six months. These trials will be pivotal in assessing the safety and efficacy of the device in restoring vision. Musk has indicated that the company is preparing the necessary documentation for FDA approval to commence these trials.

Beyond restoring vision with Neuralink, the company is exploring other applications of its brain-chip implants. The company has received authorization to test brain implants that could allow paralyzed individuals to control robotic arms, aiming to enhance mobility and independence for those with spinal cord injuries.

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