Rewiring Sight with Nanowires: Vision Restored and Infrared Detected in Primate Models

Innovative nanoprosthesis delivers visible and infrared vision in early studies

A retinal nanoprosthesis made from tellurium nanowires restored partial sight in blind mice and even granted macaques sensitivity to infrared wavelengths, according to groundbreaking research from China.

Published in the journal Science, the study introduces a novel implant that could significantly advance vision restoration technology, particularly for patients suffering severe retinal diseases like macular degeneration.¹

Vision loss: A huge challenge with limited options

Millions of people worldwide live with vision loss caused by severe retinal conditions.² Conventional retinal implants often have limited effectiveness, are bulky and invasive, and provide only partial restoration of visual fields. Currently, no available implant can restore broad-spectrum vision, let alone offer infrared enhancement.

Enter tellurium nanowires. A research team led by Shuiyuan Wang at the University of Science and Technology of China developed a tiny retinal implant woven from these semiconductor nanowires, which efficiently convert visible and near-infrared light into natural electrical signals, stimulating remaining retinal neurons to restore lost vision.

A tiny wire with big benefits

Tellurium nanowires have a special knack for absorbing a wide spectrum of light, ranging from the visible all the way through the near-infrared range.³ Unlike traditional retinal prostheses, this device doesn’t require external power or bulky supporting devices, generating its own electrical signals naturally when exposed to ambient light. The tellurium nanowire network was gently implanted beneath the retina, replacing damaged photoreceptors without the need for complex surgical procedures.

Early results in mice and macaques suggest this next-gen prosthesis could deliver a rare trifecta: broad-spectrum light sensitivity, high biocompatibility and a minimally invasive footprint. The team behind the work sees potential for future human trials, with hopes of expanding treatment options for patients living with severe retinal disease.

*A next-generation nanoprosthesis that restores and enhances vision.*

In genetically blind mice, the nanoprosthesis sparked rapid visual improvement. The implants restored critical vision reflexes, such as pupil reactions to light and stimulated robust neuron activity in visual centers of the brain.

The neural improvement translated directly into enhanced functional behavior. Implanted mice successfully performed vision-based tasks such as identifying illuminated patterns and navigating toward light sources, achieving scores nearly equal to sighted mice.

Notably, these improvements occurred at clinically safe light levels. The mice responded visually with illumination intensities approximately 80 times lower than standard clinical safety thresholds, showing the prosthesis’s ability to efficiently capture and convert ambient light.

Primate vision gets an infrared boost

But could these results be replicated in larger, more human-like animals? The researchers took the next crucial step by implanting the prosthesis in nonhuman primates, specifically crab-eating macaques.

These macaques not only tolerated the implants well, which indicated excellent biocompatibility, but also gained sensitivity to near-infrared wavelengths without negatively impacting their existing vision. In other words, they retained normal visual function while gaining access to an entirely new, infrared visual channel.

This means the device could not only restore lost vision, but also improve normal eyesight. That opens up exciting possibilities for new treatments and assistive tools.

Simplicity meets innovation in retinal implants

The tellurium nanowire prosthesis avoids many common pitfalls of earlier retinal implants.⁴ It does not rely on complex external equipment or invasive surgical interventions. The subretinal implantation procedure is straightforward, and once in place, the prosthesis spontaneously generates electrical signals without additional power sources.

Beyond its simplicity, the prosthesis takes advantage of the novel physical properties of tellurium nanowires. Their broad-spectrum absorption and spontaneous electrical activation could enable clinicians to offer more comprehensive visual restoration, possibly including night or low-light vision through infrared perception.

Key clinical findings

Blind mice regained pupil reflexes and visual cortex activity, performing nearly as well as healthy mice on vision-based tasks.
Nonhuman primates safely received the implants and showed enhanced infrared sensitivity without impairing natural vision.
The implants’ broad response covered both visible and infrared light spectra.

What’s next for this novel prosthesis?

While the current findings are promising, further research is needed before clinical trials can be initiated in humans. Upcoming studies will evaluate longer-term safety, functional durability and the feasibility of the nanowire prosthesis as a routine clinical treatment.

Meanwhile, the researchers emphasize the practicality and flexibility of their design, anticipating the potential for clinical adoption in the foreseeable future. They aim to refine the technology for human applications, particularly focusing on affordability, ease of implantation and biocompatibility in human retinas.

For now, the tellurium nanowire implant looks like a significant leap forward in the quest to restore sight, potentially offering patients not just a clearer view, but a completely new way to see the world.

Editor’s Note: See the original study in Science here. This content is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals. It is not intended for the general public. Products or therapies discussed may not be registered or approved in all jurisdictions, including Singapore.

References

Wang S, Jiang C, Yu Y, et al. Tellurium nanowire retinal nanoprosthesis improves vision in models of blindness. Science. 2025;388(6751):eadu2987.
World Health Organization. Blindness and vision impairment. 2023. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blindness-and-visual-impairment Accessed on June 11, 2025.
Ma C, Yan J, Huang Y, et al. The optical duality of tellurium nanoparticles for broadband solar energy harvesting and efficient photothermal conversion. Sci Adv. 2018;4(8):eaas9894.
Ayton LN, Barnes N, Dagnelie G, et al. An update on retinal prostheses. Clin Neurophysiol. 2020;131(6):1383-1398.