Device for the treatment of degenerative retinal diseases by electrical stimulation of the surface structure of the eyeball

摘要

To provide indirect electrical stimulation for treatment of degenerative retinal diseases, such stimulation is applied to surface structures of the eye. A source of an electrical stimulation signal is coupled to a first electrode configured for contact with a first internal surface structure of an eyeball. A second electrode, which may be configured either for contact with an internal surface structure or an external surface structure of the eyeball, is also coupled to the source. The source of the electrical stimulation signal may be implemented internal to a body of a patient, external to the body or through a combined internal/external approach. The first and second electrodes are preferably arranged such that the circuit created by the source, electrodes and intervening biological tissue provides trans-retinal electrical stimulation to thereby effect treatment.