AI could turn bionic eyes into smart vision for the blind
NCT ID NCT06117332
First seen Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether AI-powered software can improve the usefulness of artificial vision for people with visual prostheses (bionic eyes). The goal is to help users better understand what they see by enhancing the visual scene, similar to augmented reality. Participants will perform tasks like detecting lights, identifying shapes, and locating objects while researchers measure their responses. The aim is to develop a 'Smart Bionic Eye' that assists with real-world activities like face recognition and navigation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- AI-powered scene understanding software for visual prostheses
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a 'Smart Bionic Eye' that helps blind individuals recognize faces, navigate outdoors, read, and perform daily tasks more effectively.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with a small number of participants. The AI approach may not overcome the fundamental challenges of translating electrical stimulation into clear vision, and results may not generalize to all prosthesis users.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 7 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Oct 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Criteria for inclusion of visual prosthesis users: * Subject must be at least 18 years of age; * Subject has been implanted with a visual prosthesis (e.g., Argus II, Orion, Cortivis) * Subject has healed from surgery and the surgeon has cleared the subject for programming; * Subject has the cognitive and communication ability to participate in the study (i.e., follow spoken directions, perform tests, and give feedback); * Subject is willing to conduct psychophysics testing up to 4-6 hours per day of testing on 3-5 consecutive days; * Subject is capable of understanding patient information materials and giving written informed consent; * Subject is able to walk unassisted. Criteria for inclusion of sighted control subjects: * Subject speaks English; * Subject must be at least 18 years of age; * Subject has visual acuity of 20/40 or better (corrected); * Subject has the cognitive and communication ability to participate in the study (i.e., follow spoken directions, perform tests, and give feedback); * Subject is capable of understanding participant information materials and giving written informed consent. * Subject is able to walk unassisted Exclusion criteria: * Visual prosthesis users: Subject is unwilling or unable to travel to testing facility for at least 3 days of testing within a one-week timeframe; * Sighted controls: Subject has a history of motion sickness or flicker vertigo * All: Subject has language or hearing impairment
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Blindness, acquired are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
2 sites in 2 countries. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University Miguel Hernandez
Elche, Alicante, 03202, Spain
-
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.