February 20, 2015 Updated Feb 20, 2015 at 7:56 PM CDT DULUTH, Minn. (NNCNOW.com) -- Senior Pastor, James Kelm, at True Hope Church in Duluth, is also a self-taught musician. Retinitis Pigmentosa is a genetic disease that damages the retina and robs people of their vision. Rev. Kelm lives in a world he describes as "medium gray." "If I were to walk out into a bright sunny day, I could tell that medium gray becomes a light gray. If I walk out at nighttime or a dark room that medium gray becomes a dark gray," he said. There is no cure for R.P., but a new retinal implant developed by Second Sight is offering hope. James is among the first Minnesotans selected to receive the bionic eye. "It was the first time in my life that actually it was a benefit. The worse my eyes sight was, ha, ha, actually played in my favor." "I love him blind, but I also know I will love him with sight or no sight or however God wants him to be. I will love him through it," said Kimberly, James' wife of seven years. Kimberly says she is excited for her husband, but … Continue reading →

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares ofSecond Sight Medical Products (EYES) are higherin morning trading today, up 20.28% to $10.20 after the California-basedmanufacturer of implantable visual prosthetics announced thatall three of the French centers approved to implant itsArgus II Retinal Prosthesis System have successfully completed their first implants in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). In 2014, the Argus II became the first-ever medical device to be named as the recipient of Forfait Innovation, aFrench Government national healthcare reimbursement program, which allowed select hospitals in France to offer this "early access" and innovative treatment to patients with advanced RP. Forfait Innovation provides dedicated support to patients implanted with Argus II, funding the costs of implantation and patients' hospital fees. Now 36 RP patients in France stand to benefit from this technology with this first step in national reimbursement, the company said. Exclusive Report: Jim Cramer's Best Stocks for 2015 "We are pleased to see RP patients, who previously had no treatment option, gain access to this revolutionary device through Forfait Innovation," Second SightCEODr. Robert Greenberg said. "There is great potential for patients in France, as the French government has taken a progressive step in supporting a sometimes overlooked patient population." To date, … Continue reading →

Published February 24, 2015 A Minnesota man saw his wife for the first time in 10 years and most of his grandchildren for the first time ever after receiving a bionic eye at the Mayo Clinic earlier this month, ValleyNewsLive.com reported. Allen Zderad, 68, has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative, genetic eye disease that affects the part of the retina that translates light into sight. The condition progressively stole the Forest Lake mans vision over the course of his life. Zderad uses a cane to walk and has leaned on his wife, Carmen Zderad, as his sighted guide since losing his ability to see. Ten years, Zderad told Valley News Live of the last time he saw his wife, but I still kiss her with my eyes closed. Zderad is the 15th person to receive the Second Sight Argus II retinal prosthesis system, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for implantation in January 2014. The technology reportedly took 25 years and an estimated $300 to $500 million to develop. Implanting the bionic eye involves the insertion of 60 electrodes into the retina. Zderads surgery took about three hours and, two weeks later, he can now see with the artificial … Continue reading →

Allen Zderad suffered from genetic eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa It gradually wore away the 68-year-old's retina over the course of his life After ten years of being blind, he saw again with the aid of bionic glasses They send electrical signals to electrodes implanted in Mr Zderad's eyes By Jay Akbar For Mailonline Published: 09:11 EST, 20 February 2015 | Updated: 12:15 EST, 20 February 2015 A blind man finally caught a glimpse of the loving wife who acted as his guide for over a decade after being fitted a bionic eye. Allen Zderad screamed with happiness when Carmen came into focus, before embracing his wife and erupting into tears of joy. The man from Forest Lake, Minnesota suffered from a genetic disease called retinitis pigmentosa which stole his eyesight over the course of his life according to Kare. Now thanks to a pair of electronic glasses which send signals to the electrodes planted in his damaged retina's, the 68-year-old has finally been able to see his wife and ten grandchildren again. Regarding the device which took over 200million and decades to develop, he said: 'It's crude but significant, it works.' Scroll down for video Elation: Allen Zderad (left) … Continue reading →