BBC Inside Science Have scientists created a bionic eye?
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Nov 4, 2025 
In this discussion, Professor Francesca Cordeiro reveals how a bionic eye implant helps blind patients regain their ability to read. Brenna Hassett shares groundbreaking techniques for extracting hormones from ancient remains, shedding light on early human reproduction. Stephen Burt highlights the vital role of manual rainfall observations in climate science, emphasizing the human touch in data collection. Science broadcaster Caroline Steele introduces intriguing stories, including Martian ice formation and induced menstruation in mice, captivatingly bridging the past and future of scientific discovery.
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Patient Joy After Reading Again
- Sheila Irvine, a 70‑year‑old registered blind woman, read words and celebrated after receiving the implant and glasses.
- The BBC filmed her joyful reaction, showing real patient impact from the Prima device.
Under‑Retina Implant Restores Central Vision
- The Prima implant sits under the retina and works with glasses that project infrared onto a wireless chip to create a high‑contrast central image.
- Francesca Cordeiro highlights that preserving peripheral vision while augmenting the macula is a key advance over older devices.
Eye Anatomy Suits Neural Implants
- The eye is ideal for implants because it's transparent and the optic nerve often remains functional even when central vision fails.
- The device augments the macula while allowing natural peripheral light to still stimulate remaining retina.