<p>Two blind men in the UK can see again soon after doctors have successfully implanted in them "bionic eye" microchips, a breakthrough that raise hope for millions suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that leads to blindness.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chris James, a blind for over 20 years who has undergone the procedure at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, said he is now able to see a rough outline of simple shapes.<br />Surgeons, led by Prof Robert MacLaren, who fitted the 3mm chip similar to those used in mobile phone cameras at the back of James' eye in a complex eight-hour operation, said they believe in time James will be able to recognise faces, once his brain learns to see again, the Daily Mail reported.<br /><br />Robin Millar, 60, form London, is the other patients who has been fitted with the chip along with 1,500 electrodes, which are implanted below the retina.<br /><br />Millar, a music producer, said: "Since switching on the device I am able to detect light and distinguish the outlines of certain objects which is an encouraging sign.<br /><br />"I have even dreamt in very vivid colour for the first time in 25 years so a part of my brain which had gone to sleep has woken up! "I feel this is incredibly promising for future research and I'm happy to be contributing to this legacy."<br /><br />Eye experts developing the pioneering new technology said the first group of British patients to receive the electronic microchips were regaining "useful vision" just weeks after undergoing surgery.<br /><br />The success of the implants, they said, will offer fresh hope for people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-- a genetic eye condition that leads to incurable blindness.<br /><br />Ten more sufferers will be fitted with the devices as part of the British trial, which is being led by Tim Jackson, a retinal surgeon at King's College Hospital and Prof MacLaren of the University of Oxford.<br /><br />"We are excited to be involved in this pioneering subretinal implant technology and to announce the first patients implanted in the UK were successful," they said.<br /><br />"The visual results of these patients exceeded our expectations. This technology represents a genuinely exciting development and is an import step forward in our attempts to offer people with RP a better quality of life."</p>
<p>Two blind men in the UK can see again soon after doctors have successfully implanted in them "bionic eye" microchips, a breakthrough that raise hope for millions suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that leads to blindness.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Chris James, a blind for over 20 years who has undergone the procedure at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, said he is now able to see a rough outline of simple shapes.<br />Surgeons, led by Prof Robert MacLaren, who fitted the 3mm chip similar to those used in mobile phone cameras at the back of James' eye in a complex eight-hour operation, said they believe in time James will be able to recognise faces, once his brain learns to see again, the Daily Mail reported.<br /><br />Robin Millar, 60, form London, is the other patients who has been fitted with the chip along with 1,500 electrodes, which are implanted below the retina.<br /><br />Millar, a music producer, said: "Since switching on the device I am able to detect light and distinguish the outlines of certain objects which is an encouraging sign.<br /><br />"I have even dreamt in very vivid colour for the first time in 25 years so a part of my brain which had gone to sleep has woken up! "I feel this is incredibly promising for future research and I'm happy to be contributing to this legacy."<br /><br />Eye experts developing the pioneering new technology said the first group of British patients to receive the electronic microchips were regaining "useful vision" just weeks after undergoing surgery.<br /><br />The success of the implants, they said, will offer fresh hope for people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP)-- a genetic eye condition that leads to incurable blindness.<br /><br />Ten more sufferers will be fitted with the devices as part of the British trial, which is being led by Tim Jackson, a retinal surgeon at King's College Hospital and Prof MacLaren of the University of Oxford.<br /><br />"We are excited to be involved in this pioneering subretinal implant technology and to announce the first patients implanted in the UK were successful," they said.<br /><br />"The visual results of these patients exceeded our expectations. This technology represents a genuinely exciting development and is an import step forward in our attempts to offer people with RP a better quality of life."</p>