Researchers are exploring the use of gold nanoparticles to potentially restore vision in individuals with macular degeneration and other retinal disorders. This innovative approach involves injecting gold nanoparticles into the retina, which are then activated using infrared light.
The stimulation of these nanoparticles prompts retinal cells to transmit signals to the brain, potentially restoring partial vision. According to a study by Brown University, this method offers a less invasive alternative to traditional implants. The researchers envision a system where glasses equipped with a laser project infrared light onto the retina, activating the nanoparticles.
In studies conducted on mice with retinal disorders, the nanoparticle treatment effectively restored vision, at least partially, and demonstrated no significant toxicity. Jiarui Nie, a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institutes of Health who led the research at Brown, stated that this technique could potentially transform treatment paradigms for retinal degenerative conditions. More work needs to be done before the approach can be tried in a clinical setting, Nie said, but this early research suggests that it's possible.