FDTD Investigation of a Microwave Link for Data Telemetry in Retinal Prosthesis Applications

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) or Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are leading causes of blindness worldwide. It has been shown that patients suffering from diseases like RP and AMD could recover partial vision by means of controlled electrical stimulations of the retina. Thus, a retinal prosthesis can be developed where the functionality of permanently damaged retinal photoreceptors is replaced by a 2-D array of electrodes, which can provide electrical stimulation on the surface of the retina. Various experimental studies on human subjects [l], have reported perception of simple shapes and forms corresponding to the pattern of electrical stimulation provided, thus restoring a limited form of vision.