New UPMC vision center in Pittsburgh looks to restore sight
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cpl. Michael Jernigan’s last memory from a day in August 2004 is patrolling a road in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. His next memory is six days later when he awoke in an army hospital in Bethesda, Md.
Jernigan was blind and his head was crushed in the front.
Today, Jernigan’s left eye is a sewn shut eyelid. His right eye is a slit of white, the lid scarred.
Since then, Jernigan has looked for ways to improve his quality of life and increase his independence.
Today, he demonstrated a device — called BrainPort — that restores “vision” through a sensor placed on his tongue, allowing him to identify objects and shapes. The device is one of many things the new University of Pittsburgh vision center will research thanks to a $3 million gift.