TY - JOUR T1 - The Argus II epiretinal prosthesis system allows letter and word reading and long-term function in patients with profound vision loss JF - British Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Br J Ophthalmol SP - 632 LP - 636 DO - 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2012-301525 VL - 97 IS - 5 AU - Lyndon da Cruz AU - Brian F Coley AU - Jessy Dorn AU - Francesco Merlini AU - Eugene Filley AU - Punita Christopher AU - Fred K Chen AU - Varalakshmi Wuyyuru AU - Jose Sahel AU - Paulo Stanga AU - Mark Humayun AU - Robert J Greenberg AU - Gislin Dagnelie AU - for the Argus II Study Group Y1 - 2013/05/01 UR - http://bjo.bmj.com/content/97/5/632.abstract N2 - Background Retinal prosthesis systems (RPS) are a novel treatment for profound vision loss in outer retinal dystrophies. Ideal prostheses would offer stable, long-term retinal stimulation and reproducible spatial resolution in a portable form appropriate for daily life. Methods We report a prospective, internally controlled, multicentre trial of the Argus II system. Twenty-eight subjects with light perception vision received a retinal implant. Controlled, closed-group, forced-choice letter identification, and, open-choice two-, three- and four-letter word identification tests were carried out. Results The mean±SD percentage correct letter identification for 21 subjects tested were: letters L, T, E, J, F, H, I, U, 72.3±24.6% system on and 17.7±12.9% system off; letters A, Z, Q, V, N, W, O, C, D, M, 55.0±27.4% system on and 11.8%±10.7% system off, and letters K, R, G, X, B, Y, S, P, 51.7±28.9% system on and 15.3±7.4% system off. (p<0.001 for all groups). A subgroup of six subjects was able to consistently read letters of reduced size, the smallest measuring 0.9 cm (1.7°) at 30 cm, and four subjects correctly identify unrehearsed two-, three- and four-letter words. Average implant duration was 19.9 months. Conclusions Multiple blind subjects fitted with the Argus II system consistently identified letters and words using the device, indicating reproducible spatial resolution. This, in combination with stable, long-term function, represents significant progress in the evolution of artificial sight. ER -