Carlo CocuzziAI Expert, Pod Cast Host, Real Estate Investor and Funding Specialist

An Ocular Implant From the Borg

4 Aug 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief two‑speaker discussion, Speaker A introduces Prima, an ocular brain‑computer interface (BCI) developed by entrepreneur Max Hodak—formerly president of Neuralink—that has received European regulatory approval to treat age‑related macular degeneration (AMD). The device is implanted behind the retina; it converts visual information into electrical stimulation of the remaining retinal cells, which then relay signals through the optic nerve to the visual cortex, effectively restoring central vision. Clinical data show an average gain of five lines on a standard eye chart after twelve months of use. Speaker B frames the technology in sci‑fi terms, likening it to a Borg ocular implant, and argues that approaches avoiding direct brain electrode placement are more scalable toward mass‑market consumer devices. The conversation highlights the intersection of cutting‑edge neurotechnology, regulatory milestones, and future market considerations.

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Restoring vision for the blind. The company is run by an amazing entrepreneur, Max Hodak. He's the past president of Neuralink. His first product called Prima has been approved for launch in Europe. Prima is the first BCI device approved for restoring detailed vision in age-related macular degeneration that destroys the central vision of your retina. The signal from that Prima implant behind your retina is turning it into electrical signals and giving it to the remaining retinal cells, and those then get transmitted through your optic nerve to your visual cortex. It basically restores your central vision. The amazing thing is that patients who've gone through this have experienced 5 lines of improvement on a standard eye chart after 12 months.
The overall setup is in the spirit of, as I've commented in the past, the singularity is essentially all sci-fi tropes happening everywhere all at once. This is reminiscent of an ocular implant from the Borg, quite literally. I do think the further you get away from direct brain intervention and placement of electrodes, the easier it is to scale up a mass market consumer device.