A study conducted though on mice has raised hopes to treat degenerative diseases of the retina in humans too, according to a recent report published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers from the Cornell University in New York, US have told that their trial showed success in treating patient mice of retinal impairments. It has been told that a device named 'bionic eye' made patients to distinguish between their facial features as well as they were able to track varied images.

According to the findings, the device cracks a code responsible for making the retina to send signals to the brain. Though, previous standard implants are not provided with any encoder were proving ineffective in making patients see bright and dark spots.

The code is comprised of electrical pulses with specific patterns, which when inserted into patients' devices, help them restore their vision. "Our results show that incorporation of the code dramatically increases prosthetic performance, well beyond what can be achieved just by increasing resolution", said lead author Dr. Sheila Nirenberg.

The findings are being hoped to find a way to develop life-changing retinal prosthetics. Also, researchers are planning to test the device on monkeys before a trial on humans.