Media Release
For Immediate Release
Date: December 15, 2009
First bionic eye to be trialed in Victoria
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital welcomes today’s funding announcement for the
development of Australia’s first bionic eye.
As Bionic Vision Australia’s clinical partner,
the Eye and Ear will be the clinical site of the first
implantation.
As a world leading centre for excellence in ophthalmology, the Eye and Ear supports government
initiatives for innovation in eye and ear health care.
Chief Executive Officer of the Eye and Ear Ms Ann Clark said she is delighted with the
opportunity to trial the new technology here in Victoria.
“There are a number of partners that contributed
and we congratulate everyone involved in
today’s announcement. “
“The development of this technology will allow patients to benefit from clinical trials which are
planned in the next two years. “
“Our research partnerships with the Centre for Eye Research Australia and the Bionic Ear
Institute, who are part of Bionic Vision Australia, allow the seamless integration of research into
clinical care through our surgeons who are part of the partnership. Our involvement means
patients have access to innovative new treatments.”
“Our hearing impaired patients have had the opportunity of having their hearing restored through
the bionic ear, which was developed at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and now we
hope to do the same for our vision impaired patients through the bionic eye.”
It is hoped the bionic eye will benefit people with conditions like Retinitis Pigmentosa and Age
Related Macular Degeneration – one of the leading causes of vision impairment.
-Ends-
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is a teaching, training and research health service
specialising in the area of eye and ear, nose and throat health. It is Australia’s pre-eminent
specialist eye and ENT hospital and undertakes 90% of Victoria’s specialist eye surgery.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Louise Purcell
Communications Officer
Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital
Mob: 0412 887 170
Ph: (03) 9929 8689
NEWS 
