New technology helps blind man see
Holy Cow!
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A Calgary man who was left blind after a random shooting is taking part in a research project in the United States that is giving him a chance to see again.
Jose Neto was visiting Calgary from Brazil when he was shot in the face by a stray bullet.
He was walking in the downtown on September 16, 2008 when the incident happened.
Neto lost vision in both eyes, which eventually had to be removed.
He now lives in Calgary with his wife and headed to the U.S. to participate in a research program at the University of Pittsburgh.
The American research uses the BrainPort Vision Technology to pass signals to the brain through the tongue.
The patient is fitted with a digital video camera and the information from the camera is then sent to the BrainPort base unit which translates the visual information into a stimulation pattern that is displayed on the tongue.
With the assistance of the experimental technology, Neto is now able to read.
Each research participant gets about 30 hours of training and practice so the ability to see becomes easier as time goes on.
On Wednesday, Neto was able to make his way through an obstacle course.
He is helped by visual memories from when he still had sight, but even people who have been blind from birth, have tried the technology successfully.
So far the BrainPort technology is only research, but Neto says he would buy one of the devices once they become available because it offers him more independence.
For more information visit the BrainPort Vision Technology website.
