Pending clinical trials on animals and then blind human eyes, the Bionic Lens could be available in Canada and elsewhere in about two years, depending on regulatory processes in various countries, Webb says.
Bionic Lens 20150518
The custom-made lens, folded like a taco in a saline-filled syringe, would be injected in an eye, where it would unravel itself within 10 seconds. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
As for laser surgery, which requires the burning away of healthy corneal tissue and includes potential problems with glare, the need for night-time driving glasses and later cataracts, Webb says the Bionic Lens may make that option obsolete.
Alongside his Bionic Lens venture, Webb has set up a foundation called the Celebration of Sight, which would donate money to organizations providing eye surgery in developing countries to improve people's quality of life.
"erfect eyesight should be a human right," he says.
DeLuise, who has been asked to manage the foundation, says funds would also be funnelled to some of the world's best eye research institutes.
"He has the technology that may make all of this happen," he says, adding several companies have spent tens of millions of dollars trying to develop a similar lens, though none have come close.