In vivo evaluations of retinal prostheses

In this article, the in vivo evaluation of retinal prostheses were achieved either in animals with normal vision or in blind persons. To assess the stimulating electrodes in vivo on an animal with photoreceptor degeneration, we have implanted a P23H rhodopsin rats. The present study describes the implant design and our surgical strategy. The experiments indicate clearly that the implant electrodes can be tested on a leaving rat with photoreceptor degeneration. Future studies can assess the electrode characteristics and the stimulating protocol to trigger cellular and/or animal behavior responses.