Enhancing prosthetic vision by upgrade of a subretinal photovoltaic implant in situ

Mohajeet B. Bhuckory (), Nicharee Monkongpitukkul, Andrew Shin, Anna Kochnev Goldstein, Nathan Jensen, Sarthak V. Shah, Davis Pham-Howard, Emma Butt, Roopa Dalal, Ludwig Galambos, Keith Mathieson, Theodore Kamins and Daniel Palanker
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Mohajeet B. Bhuckory: Stanford University
Nicharee Monkongpitukkul: Stanford University
Andrew Shin: Stanford University
Anna Kochnev Goldstein: Stanford University
Nathan Jensen: Stanford University
Sarthak V. Shah: Stanford University
Davis Pham-Howard: Stanford University
Emma Butt: University of Strathclyde
Roopa Dalal: Stanford University
Ludwig Galambos: Stanford University
Keith Mathieson: University of Strathclyde
Theodore Kamins: Stanford University
Daniel Palanker: Stanford University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract In patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration, subretinal photovoltaic implant (PRIMA) provided visual acuity up to 20/440, matching its 100 µm pixels size. Next-generation implants with smaller pixels should significantly improve the acuity. This study in rats evaluates removal of a subretinal implant, replacement with a newer device, and the resulting grating acuity in-vivo. Six weeks after the initial implantation with planar and 3-dimensional devices, the retina was re-detached, and the devices were successfully removed. Histology demonstrated a preserved inner nuclear layer. Re-implantation of new devices into the same location demonstrated retinal re-attachment to a new implant. New devices with 22 µm pixels increased the grating acuity from the 100 µm capability of PRIMA implants to 28 µm, reaching the limit of natural resolution in rats. Reimplanted devices exhibited the same stimulation threshold as for the first implantation of the same implants in a control group. This study demonstrates the feasibility of safely upgrading the subretinal photovoltaic implants to improve prosthetic visual acuity.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58084-y

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