Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42733633›Full record

ArticlePatient preference and adherence2026

Vision Restoration to People with Long-Term Blindness Using the Brain-Computer Interface Technology: A Sociotechnical Research Framework to Improve Usefulness for Users.

Zdenek Smutny, Milan Hudec, Ines Kožuh

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Patient preference and adherence, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Zdenek SmutnyCentre for Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID 0000-0002-6646-2991
Milan HudecFaculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia.ORCID 0000-0001-6266-3211
Ines KožuhCentre for Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID 0000-0001-7875-5583

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Invasive and non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) represent a promising technology for treating various diseases and disabilities. BCI-based invasive solutions also include visual prostheses. Currently, there is rapid development of cortical prostheses and bold statements, eg, about the potential of Neuralink's experimental neuroprosthetic Blindsight to restore vision. However, questions arise about the usefulness of such solutions for people with long-term blindness, considering other compensatory aids and referring to the empirical basis of cases where vision has been successfully restored surgically in the past. These cases reveal that biological restoration of sight does not guarantee functional vision. Moreover, technological limitations, such as low-resolution phosphene-based vision, individual variability or postoperative complications, reduce usability and usefulness for potential users. Therefore, we draw on literature on visual prostheses, documented cases of vision restoration, and employ a sociotechnical approach used in design science to discuss aspects that influence the usefulness of the vision restoration to people with long-term blindness, with emphasis on cortical prostheses. This approach emphasises the need to include or inscribe social values into designed BCI solutions to reveal what people with blindness need and what can be achieved with current technology. Research on user values and needs must shape the visual prostheses design, and their functions must be helpful to the user and synergistically complement his or her sociotechnical context (eg, interacting with other used aids and smart environments, or supporting needed social skills). Sociotechnical research can guide iterative design, improve future user acceptance and adoption, align prosthetic development with real-life needs, and prevent users from reverting to life with blindness due to cognitive overload or poor functional adaptation. Thus, we call for systematic and long-term sociotechnical research, which is lacking in this area. For this purpose, a relevant sociotechnical research framework and future research agenda are presented.

Indexed as

BCIbrain-machine interfacecortical prosthesisdesign science researchsight restorationsocial informaticstranscranial stimulationuser experiencevisual prosthesis

Identifiers

PMID42733633
PMCPMC13571630

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.