When they came out, they were presented as revolutionary retinal prostheses. Argus II are smart glasses for patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that attacks retinal cells. This device, manufactured by the American company Second sight, which promises to compensate for the loss of vision was until now marketed only in the United States. A decree published on August 14, 2014 in the Official Journal stipulates that these “artificial retinas” are now fully reimbursed by Social Security.
Only a handful of French people will be able to benefit from it. Exactly 36 patients will be selected according to criteria validated by the High Authority of Health (HAS) to be able to wear the medical device free of charge “over a maximum period of five years”, says the press release from the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The initiative aims to “encourage development and accelerate access to particularly innovative technologies in the field of health”, specifies the ministry.
Offered by three hospitals in France
Argus II comes in the form of glasses associated with a prosthesis implanted around and inside the eye. Using a video camera, the device transmits visual information to the retinal implant via a wireless connection. The resulting electrical impulses stimulate the remaining cells of the retina to partially restore vision.
The hospitals that will offer Argus II will also be counted on the fingers of the hand: only the Center hospitalier national d’ophtalmologie (CHNO) des Quinze-Vingts in Paris and the university hospitals (CHU) of Bordeaux and Strasbourg will be able to offer it to a few patients.
The amount of the support package for these retinal prostheses is set at € 95,897 per patient, specifies the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, taken up by AFP.
