Science Corporation has launched PRIMA, a subretinal implant for people with geographic atrophy caused by age-related macular degeneration, commercially across Europe after receiving CE marking. The system pairs a photovoltaic chip implanted under the retina with glasses that project near-infrared light, converting it into signals the brain can interpret, including a zoom feature to magnify text. In clinical trials, patients gained a mean improvement of more than five lines on a standard eye chart, and most reported being able to read letters and words again. The first commercial implant is expected soon in Germany, with a US launch possibly in 2027.
Why it matters: Geographic atrophy is a leading cause of blindness in older adults, and until now there has been no approved treatment that restores vision rather than just slowing its decline — this is among the first devices shown to give meaningful reading vision back.
Nextrability 