GRAPHICS BY C . PARK ; DIAGRAM ( TOP ) CREATIVE COMMONS COURTESY OF WELLCOME COLLECTION |
The technology fixing vision |
1583
Swiss anatomist Felix Platter discovers that the optic nerve ’ s expansion in the retina plays the primary role in vision .
1986
Dr . Patricia Bath invents the Laserphaco Probe , which offers virtually painless cataract treatment .
2013
The FDA approves the Argus II , a retinal implant that allows patients to see patterns , outlines , shapes and movement .
2021
The FDA approves an eye drop treatment for presbyopia ( age-related near vision blurring ). The drop reduces the pupil size to increase the patient ’ s depth of focus .
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13th c .
Italian glassmakers develop the first spectacles .
1850
Physiologist Hermann Von Helmholtz invents the ophthalmoscope , enabling doctors to examine the retina without dissection .
1992
Dr . Mark Humayun first successfully uses electrodes to stimulate a blind patient ’ s retinas , providing basic artificial sight .
2017
The FDA approves gene therapy to treat Leber congenital amaurosis .
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