An implant-and-glasses system helped people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration read again, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study of 38 European patients. The wireless PRIMA chip works with augmented-reality glasses to stimulate remaining retinal cells; 80% of 32 reassessed after one year showed clinically meaningful visual gains. Surgery-related risks included 26 serious adverse events in 19 patients, mostly resolving within two months. While experts hailed a breakthrough, they cautioned vision is black-and-white, training-intensive, and not yet proven to improve daily life. Developers plan higher-resolution chips and software upgrades as larger, longer trials are sought.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.