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About Conductive Plastic Which May Preserve Eyesight...!!

 

Italian researchers are developing a sophisticated medical plastics compound that is sensitive to light as a potential treatment for diseases of the retina such as Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa.

 

There is a use of a single-layer film of poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to trigger firing of neuron receptors in animals’ eyes when it is exposed to light. Polythiophenes become conductive when electrons are added or through doping processes. The  Italian invention is in effect a photovoltaic device applied to the human eye.

 

Cones and rods in the retina transform light into electrical signals that go to the brain. The Italian researchers replaced diseased photoreceptors in mammalian retinas with the polymer film.

 

The result obtained was fundamental to proceed towards the construction of organic retina prosthesis for human beings. The photoreceptor-degenerated retina tissue, when in contact with the semiconductor layer, recovers its photosensitivity up to levels comparable to those of daylight and generates electrical signals in the optic nerve, which are very similar to those generated by normal retinas.

 

However, some points such as its effectiveness, biocompatibility and longterm duration are still under research.

 

(Ref: http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/conductiveplastic-may-preserve-eyesight0422201301)

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