Magnets used to control blinking eyes 2017

Magnets used to control blinking eyes

Magneys used to control blinking eyes

Magnets used to control blinking eyes

Physicians successfully implanted magnets behind the eyes of a patient to treat a condition that causes the eyes to blink or shiver involuntarily.

Nystagmus or "dancing eyes" affect 1 in 1000 and no medical treatment available.

The patient had two small magnets implanted in each eye to help overcome bright eyes.

Experts say it opens the way to greater use of magnetic implants to control the movement of parts of the body.

The magnets interact with each other to prevent involuntary eye movement and improve the patient's vision.

The study, led by University College London and Oxford University, is the first time that oculomotor prosthesis - an implant that controls eye movement - has been used successfully.

"Nystagmus has many causes of different origin in the central nervous system, posing a challenge for the development of a pharmaceutical treatment, so he chose to focus on the eye muscles themselves," said lead author Dr. Parashkev Nachev, Of the Institute of Neurology of the UCL.

"But so far, mechanical approaches have been elusive because of the need to stop involuntary eye movements without impeding the natural and intentional movements of moving eyes."

the magnet 

What is nystagmus?

Nystagmus is a constant and continuous movement of eye movements.

The movements can be in any direction, so that the eyes seem to move from side to side or up and down or even circles.

It is a sign of a problem with the visual system or pathways that connect the eyes to parts of the brain that analyze vision.

In many cases, the cause of nystagmus is not known. The disorder can not be cured, but some underlying conditions can be treated.

The patient who underwent the procedure developed nystagmus in the late 40's because of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The condition has made a big impact on your life, including the loss of your job. His difficulties have led the research team to build prostheses successfully.

"Fortunately, the force used for voluntary eye movements is greater than the force that causes eye movement, so we need small enough magnets, which minimizes the risk of eye immobilization," he said. Professor Quentin Pankhurst of UCL, who led the design of the prosthesis.

Two magnets were implanted in each eye, one connected to the bone in the lower part of the eye socket and another suturing to one of the extraocular muscles.

The procedure was conducted by Professor Geoff Rose and David Verity at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in two separate sessions.

The patient recovered quickly and reported substantial improvements in vision. In addition, more than four years later, there has been no negative impact on the functional movement of the eye. He returned to paid work and discovered daily activities such as reading and television.

The researchers emphasized that more research needs to be done to find out which patients will benefit most from the oculomotor prosthesis.

They warn that magnetic implants are not suitable for all those who have nystagmus, such as those who need regular MRI.

Nystagmus is the most common form of visual impairment in children.

The case study is published in ophthalmology.