Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii performed the state's first bionic eye surgery.
The patient underwent surgery for the bionic eye and nine months later is now able to see light. The patient is deaf and blind. Surgeons at Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii used the Argus II technology on the surgery.
Here are five things to know about Eye Surgery Center of Hawaii:
1. The surgery center physicians perform around 9,000 procedures per year.
2. Skai Ventures established the surgery center in partnership with ophthalmic surgeons in 2011. Their goal is to create the largest single specialty eye surgery center in Hawaii.
3. Gregg Kokame, MD, of Retina Consultants of Hawaii performed the first bionic eye procedure at the center with the Argus II artificial retina. The technology is FDA-approved. Technology inventor Mark Humayun, MD, was also at the center for the procedure.
4. There are 13 physicians associated with the center and 18 surgeons perform procedures there.
5. There are more retinal bionic implant transplants scheduled at the surgery center in the future.