Unique art project exploring sight loss and the bionic eye set to launch at Manchester Science Festival

An exciting new Lime Arts project is exploring the damage of sight loss caused by Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and the use of the ground-breaking bionic eye for vision restoration.

Artist, Lucy Burscough is bringing the pioneering work of Paulo Stanga, Professor of Ophthalmology and Retinal Regeneration,  to life with Ocular Bionica, a stop-frame film featuring exquisite paintings and animation. The film is set to be officially launched on Thursday 27^th October, at Manchester Museum, as part of Manchester Science Festival.

Professor Stanga, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon for the Manchester Vision Regeneration (MVR) Lab at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH) / NIHR/Wellcome Trust Manchester Clinical Research Facility, undertook the world-first procedure to implant dry AMD patient, Ray Flynn, with the Argus II ‘bionic eye’.

The art project tells the story of the Audenshaw resident, who underwent the four-hour operation to have the bionic eye fitted in June 2015. With the Argus II system switched on, Ray is able to make out the outline of people and objects even with his eyes closed.

Lucy spent time interviewing Ray about how he got involved in the clinical research trial and his experiences of taking part. She has painted detailed and vivid pictures including Ray, Professor Stanga and his team, to illustrate the development of the study and how it came to change Ray’s life. Lucy said:

This work has been inspired by remarkable, cutting-edge technologies that hint at a future of biomedical bionics and the hacking of humanity. The film seeks to show viewers the world through Ray’s eyes, both before and after the device was fitted.

“Funding for the project has been donated from Arts Council England’s National Lottery funded Grants for the Arts programme, and follows my previous work including celebrating Manchester Royal Eye Hospital’s 200^th anniversary in 2014.

“I am intrigued by perception and the difference between how different people see the same things. I am also interested in finding narratives in biomedical science and showcasing clinical research to a wider audience. I hope that the film inspires people to find out more about research here at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.”

To find out more, visit Lucy’s website, the project’s Twitter and Facebook feeds.