‚Artificial Vision’: Mass Media and Reality

Walter P.,
Universität zu Köln, Zentrum für Augenheilkunde (Köln)

Background: In the US, Japan, Germany, and Belgium protheseses are under development for electrical stimulation of the visual system in blind persons. A few implantations have been performed in humans, which resulted in a number of publications in the mass media.
Methods: Retrospective observation of publications in mass media and observations on the effect of these publications on patients and ophthalmological experts.
Results: The strategy of journalists and other media people in fabrication of a publication on this topic varies a lot. The result of their work showed a large scale of quality. The larger the intended target group is, the worse and misleading is the quality of the publication and the scientist has no chance to verify if his comments are reproduced in the correct way or in the correct circumstances. Such mass media reports lead to false hopes in patients and also to wrong expectations and opinions in the ophthalmologic community.
Conclusions: Public declarations and project reports are important, e.g. in the management of fund raising. The public who partially sponsered these projects has the right on information. However, the reports and publications should reflect the scientific approach and must not mislead patients or doctors. This could be achieved by reports distributed by the press agency of the academic institution in which the research was conducted. The scientist should have the chance to work actively on the final product which is transmitted by the media. In case this chance is not given, reports of this kind must be avoided.

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