Tiny brain implant could give blind people a 'Limited sense of Sight'
NCT ID NCT02983370
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study is testing a brain implant that uses tiny electrodes to stimulate the visual cortex, aiming to create simple visual perceptions (phosphenes) in blind individuals. Five participants will undergo a small skull opening to receive the implant. The goal is to see if this approach is safe and can provide enough vision to help with tasks like detecting movement or shapes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- intracortical microelectrode implant
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a limited but useful sense of vision for people who are profoundly blind, helping them perceive shapes and movement.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early pilot study with only 5 participants. The implant requires brain surgery, and the vision restored will be basic, not full sight. Risks include infection, bleeding, or the implant not working as hoped.
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
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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
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About 5 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Oct 2019
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 70 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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.
Inclusion Criteria: * Participant is capable and willing to provide informed consent for participation in the trial. * Severe visual impairment with bilateral visual loss. * Greater than 18 years of age. * General health: excellent. * Following a general physical and neurological examination, patient must have normal serum electrolytes, C-reactive protein, complete blood count and PT and PTT. * No history of stroke, seizure, coagulopathy, cardiac arrhythmias or ischemia, pulmonary, hepatic or renal disease, nor transmissible viruses such as hepatitis or HIV. * Stable dose of current regular medication for at least four weeks prior to trial entry. * Able to perform the study during the full time period of up to 6 months. Special consideration will be given to patients with (1) detailed medical histories, including documentation of the onset, mechanism and evolution of the blindness; (2) lower risks associated with surgery; and (3) no psychiatric disorders or other mental disabilities. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \<18 or \>70. * Period of appropriate visual functions \< 12 years /lifetime. * For medical reasons: Individuals with a history of seizure disorders, coagulopathy, cardiac arrythmias or ischemia, pulmonary, hepatic or renal disease, and any other neurological disorder. Patients who carry a transmissible virus such as hepatitis and individuals with HIV-related neuropathies. * Vulnerable subject groups (e.g., pregnant women, prisoners, etc.). * Persons unable to give written informed consent prior to participation in the study. * Not able to perform the study during the full time period (at least 3 months). * Any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.
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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.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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
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Hospital IMED Elche
RECRUITINGElche, Alicante, 03202, Spain
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Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche
RECRUITINGElche, Alicante, 03202, Spain
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