Microfabrication initiatives at the VA center for innovative visual rehabilitation (CIVR)

Our primary laboratory initiative is the development of a retinal prosthesis to restore useful vision to patients blind from age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) or retinitis pigmentosa (RP). We present recent microfabrication efforts toward this end including the provision of electrode arrays for in-vitro and in-vivo retinal stimulation and recording experiments, development of an inflatable prototype prosthesis for insertion through a narrow incision in the eye, and the fabrication of custom retinal tacks for affixing a stimulating array to the surface of the retina.