In a recent development for those who have inherited blindness, the German company which developed this sight chip is hoping to launch it in open market by the end of this year.

The chief executive of Retina Implant, Walter Wrobel, who is based in Reutligen said that he has plans to get some authorization for a CE mark in the year 2011 which would permit the chip to be approved in the entire EU as a medical device.

The launch which is coming after 15 years of research could bring a new hope to 11,000 people at first all across the inductrialized world every year who developed retinitis pigmentosa which is an inherited condition which causes deterioration of the light sensitive cells in the retina of the eye.

This process could also have potential applications for those people who develop age-related macular degeneration which also leads to a loss of vision but not even larger numbers in glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic retinopathy causing damage beyond the photo-receptors of the retina.