Science Corporation implants its vision-restoring chip in its first Stargardt disease patient

A new vision restoration device for Stargardt disease patients is now in human trials.

Science Corporation, co-founded by former Neuralink president Max Hodak, has implanted its vision-restoring chip, PRIMA, into its first patient diagnosed with Stargardt disease. This inherited condition progressively degrades central vision. Hodak presented the development at TechCrunch Disrupt, framing PRIMA as a type of brain-computer interface (BCI). The device is already commercially available in Europe for geographic atrophy, a form of age-related macular degeneration. Stargardt disease affects approximately 150,000 people globally. The implant involves a small chip placed in the eye, paired with camera-equipped glasses, to mimic photoreceptor function. Early trials show promising results, with the first Stargardt patient regaining the ability to see letters and read words after initial rehabilitation sessions. Science Corporation aims to expand PRIMA's field of view and detail in future generations, with plans for human trials of a next-generation device within the year.

The successful implantation of PRIMA into a Stargardt patient marks a significant step in applying BCI technology beyond purely control-oriented applications to direct sensory restoration. Science Corporation's approach, viewing retinal prostheses as BCIs, broadens the scope of what these interfaces can achieve, potentially impacting treatment for a wider array of neurological and sensory conditions. The company's dual focus on immediate therapeutic applications like vision restoration and long-term BCI development for conditions like stroke or neurodegenerative diseases suggests a strategic path toward establishing a sustainable business model while pushing the boundaries of neural engineering.

This development could signal a shift in how degenerative eye diseases are approached, moving from management to active restoration using sophisticated electronic implants. The progress highlights the potential for BCIs to offer tangible improvements in quality of life for a growing patient population. Future advancements in implant size, electrode density, and field of view will determine the extent to which this technology can approach native visual acuity, making it a key area to watch for continued innovation in both medical devices and BCI research.