Vision restoration in degenerative blindness via a living optoelectroactive PEDOT-Spirulina subretinal prosthesis.

Abstract

Electronic retinal prostheses represent a promising strategy for restoring vision in patients with degenerative retinal diseases. However, conventional retinal implants utilizing rigid electrodes encounter critical limitations, including mechanical mismatch with delicate retinal tissues and inflammation mediated by reactive oxygen species. To address these challenges, we introduce an innovative bio-hybrid retinal prosthesis composed of a living photosynthetic hydrogel scaffold synthesized from poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and Spirulina platensis (Sp). The scaffold is designed for in situ cross-linking within the subretinal space via minimally invasive microinjection, enabling conformal integration with the naturally curved retina. This design combines essential photovoltaic functionality with therapeutic modulation of the retinal injury microenvironment. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis reveals that the PEDOT-Sp hydrogel, combined with 460 nm light exposure, alleviated SI-induced retinal degenerative damage. This effect was achieved through the synergistic promotion of phototransduction recovery, cell regeneration, antioxidant capacity, and energy metabolism stabilization. Notably, significant restoration of visual function was observed in a mouse model of retinal degeneration following implantation. This functional recovery was consistently verified through a series of in vivo visual behavioral tests. Thus, this microorganism-conducting polymer hydrogel presents a novel and transformative therapeutic strategy for degenerative retinal diseases.