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Another option for sight restoration therapy which excludes stem cell based procedures has been investigated by the University of Bath and a team of researchers from the Psychology Department there. A brand new device that converts sound waves into images will assist blind people to build up " an image" in their minds. The tests were carried out on blindfolded people with normal sight using the Snellen Tumbling E Test. Using the new device called the vOICe sensory substitution device, the sighted but blindfolded study subjects performed the best possible performance without prior demonstration or training in the device.
A sensory substitution device is far cheaper for production and arguably a better employed method of treatment for its affordability and non invasive method as compared to for example, stem cell transplantation. Perhaps it would be best put to use as a combination treatment alongside surgery to train the brain to see once more or for initial sight tests.