Researchers at Brown University have made a significant advancement in vision restoration, demonstrating that gold nanoparticles, activated by infrared light, can restore sight in mice with degenerative retinal disorders. This innovative technique offers a less invasive alternative to traditional retinal prostheses.
The method involves injecting gold nanoparticles into the retina. When stimulated with infrared light, these nanoparticles generate heat, which then activates internal retinal cells, enabling them to transmit visual information to the brain. This bypasses damaged photoreceptors, which are the primary cause of vision loss in diseases like macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.
Experiments on mice with retinal disorders showed that the injected nanoparticles remained stable and did not cause toxic effects. Brain activity analysis confirmed that the laser stimulation of the nanoparticles led to visual perception. The researchers published their findings in the journal ACS Nano in April 2025. This approach holds promise for a less invasive treatment for vision loss, potentially transforming how retinal degenerative conditions are treated.