For those living in darkness for decades, seeing even a faint ray of light is a cause for celebration. Today, Bionic Eye, an artificial retinal implant, offers this hope to many visually challenged patients. What adds to the joy is that Dr Rajat Agrawal, retina specialist and co-founder of Argus III, the latest retinal implant, plans to manufacture India's own Bionic Eye to be sold at an affordable price. The idea came to him while working at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai. He noticed that the incidence of visual impairment was exceptionally high in a few communities and lack of awareness and access to treatment meant the patients would remain dependent on others throughout their lives. “Only 6 per cent of the blind people are gainfully employed,” says Agrawal. “Also, there is no support system for them in spite of their huge numbers.” He realised that a device like a Bionic Eye could come to the aid of patients suffering from retinal pigmentosa (RP), an inherited degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment, age-related macular disease (loss of central vision) and diabetes retinopathy. However, since he did not have the means to do it alone, Agrawal joined the team at the University of California that was working on Argus I, the first Bionic Eye implant. So, how does the Bionic Eye work? It is a kit that consists of a pair of sunglasses fitted with a camera that sends the visual information to a processor fitted on the thigh. From the processor the information is sent to a transmitter, also present in the sunglasses. The transmitter sends the information to the electrode array attached to the inner surface of the eye. The coil sends electrical impulse to the undamaged cells (in patients with RP) in the retina. The information reaches the optic nerve where the brain interprets it. The image created by the Bionic Eye is by no means comparable to the one created by human eyes. Depending on the number of electrodes present in the array, the person perceives light and dark spots. The first implant, Argus I, had 16 electrodes that allowed perception of shape and movement, the second had 60 and the latest one has 100+ electrodes which allow clearer vision. However, the transition from the world of darkness to light is not an easy one. “The experience of seeing light after so many years of blindness is not so pleasant,” says Agrawal, talking about a patient's first reaction after the procedure. For example, a patient maybe using the toothbrush for years but it would be discomforting for him to suddenly see it and guessing what it is. Therefore, to make the transition easier, patients undergo training. But even then, most take time to get used to the new life. However, the impact it has on their lives cannot be missed. In a video shown by the doctor, a patient, who was blind for 30 years, was seen separating different-coloured socks, a task that made him crabby but delighted his wife. The Bionic Eye is still far from perfect. The space in the retina where the electrode array is placed is extremely small, which is why, so far, only a limited number of electrodes could be placed. Another challenge is the cost. Priced at $100,000 (054 lakh approx), it is out of reach for most patients. Agrawal is, however, confident of bringing the technology to India. Though the Bionic Eye is a patented technology, there are certain aspects that are still not patented. And that is the area that Agrawal and his team are going to explore. Agrawal plans to begin the trials for the Indian Bionic Eye in five years' time. Priced at 05 lakh, it would be made keeping the Indian conditions in mind. Currently based in Los Angeles, Agrawal is waiting to get approval for funds from the government to shift base to India.