Musk’s Neuralink and Other Startups Aim to Restore Vision

Neuralink Corp., Elon Musk’s brain-computer venture, and rivals like Science Corp. are making strides in technology that could treat patients with severe vision loss, pursuing sci-fi-like solutions to widespread maladies like macular degeneration.

In September, Neuralink received the Food and Drug Administration’s blessing to fast-track its vision technology, called Blindsight, through the regulatory process. And last month, Science, the brain-machine interface startup run by former Neuralink President Max Hodak, announced the results of a clinical trial showing some restored vision to patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration.

These companies are joined by a handful of other startups and academic researchers trying to improve patients’ vision as the field of brain-computer technology gains ...