gms | German Medical Science

Artificial Vision 2015

The International Symposium on Visual Prosthetics

27.11. - 28.11.2015, Aachen

Willkommen

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2nd International Symposium on Artificial Vision in Aachen, Germany. The implantation of visual neuroprostheses to restore vision in blind patients was a dream 20 years ago. Due to the efforts and work of scientists and researchers, due to the support of sponsors and funding organizations all over the world this dream has become reality. Currently, two retina implant systems are approved for the treatment of blindness caused by retinal degeneration and it can be assumed that more will follow. It has been convincingly demonstrated that visual functions in blind RP patients are getting better with such systems and also activities of daily life improve. However, not every patient improved, some complications are reported, and for some patients the gain in visual function is limited. Undoubtably, there is the need for further development and advancement. Whereas with retina implants only receptor diseases can be tackled visual neuroprostheses should also target higher centers of the visual system such as in the cortical or the CGL approach.

In this symposium researchers will present and discuss their latest findings in retinal degeneration mechanisms, basic concepts for neural stimulation, technology and materials for visual neuroprostheses, biocompatibility and experimental surgery, functional aspects as learned from preclinical experiments, and clinical findings. At the end we will also discuss new ideas and tools. There will be a lot of time for discussion and international networking. The idea of this symposium is to provide a platform for scientific exchange and discussion in an open collaborative atmosphere and to provide information, facts and data for all who are interested in this important topic which is still at its beginning.
 

Peter Walter
Department of Ophthalmology,
University Hospital Aachen
RWTH Aachen University, Medical Faculty

Wissenschaftliches Programm