Scientists May Have Discovered a Possible Treatment for Blindness: Gold
A new study shows that tiny gold particles could circumvent damaged photoreceptors in patients with macular degeneration and help restore vision.
BY DARREN ORF PUBLISHED: APR 29, 2025
The term “goldeneye” once only described spy thrillers and waterfowl. But soon, it could mean groundbreaking therapy for people with failing vision.
Scientists at Brown University injected gold nanoparticles into the retinas of laboratory mice and successfully restored vision in those with retinal disorders like macular degeneration. The researchers see this breakthrough as the basis for a possible prosthesis for those with retinal disorders, though it would require wearing a small laser device embedded in a pair of sunglasses or goggles. The results of the study were published in the journal ACS Nano.
At first glance, the method may seem counterintuitive—how does injecting a miniscule amount of a soft metal repair damaged photoreceptors in patients with macular degeneration? Well, instead of letting the eyes rely on rods and cones for vision, this method uses gold nanoparticles and laser light to stimulate bipolar and ganglion cells that are “further up on the visual chain,” according to the researchers.
“This is a new type of retinal prosthesis that has the potential to restore vision lost to retinal degeneration without requiring any kind of complicated surgery or genetic modification,” Jiarui Nie, lead author on the study, said in a press statement. “We believe this technique could potentially transform treatment paradigms for retinal degenerative conditions.”
Nie and her team tested this process on mice and, by using probes to analyze increased activity of the visual cortices, confirmed that there was at least partial restoration of vision. Additionally, the team confirmed that the nanoparticles and laser stimulation caused no adverse side effects by searching for markers of inflammation or toxicity.
To transfer this tech to humans, the researchers imagine using a pair of glasses or goggles capable of capturing data from the surrounding environment and driving the infrared laser pattern. Once these laser pulses stimulated the nanoparticles in the eyes, those laser patterns would be interpreted in the brain.
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration has given the go ahead on a similar intervention that relies on electrodes surgically implanted in the eye. However, Nie said that this technique would be much less invasive and could even provide increased resolution, as the nanoparticle solution covers the entire retina.
Throughout human history, gold has been on of Earth’s most precious metals. But for those struggling with retinal disorders, it could very well be priceless.
#Bite airs every Monday to Friday @18:30 on #TheNightLive with Nashawn. #FeelGood