(David Lindes, Creative Commons)

The "bionic eye" system comprises "a sheet of electrodes surgically implanted in the eye" and "a pair of glasses with an attached camera and a portable video processor," which "together allow visual signals to bypass the damaged portion of the retina and be transmitted to the brain," according to the New York Times.

The technology will only provide limited improvement to sight, allowing patients to "detect light and dark in the environment."

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