Alfred E. Mann.

LAS VEGAS— Alfred E. Mann, a pioneer of medical devices and founder of Second Sight Medical Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYES), died here on Feb. 25. He was 90.

Second Sight, a company specializing in implantable visual prosthetics, has developed and manufactures the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis intended to provide some useful vision to individuals with outer-retinal degenerations such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

During his 70-year career, Alfred Mann founded 17 companies. Three companies became public and 10 were acquired at an overall total of almost $8 billion. Hundreds of thousands of people have benefitted from his technologies and he created thousands of jobs. The medical miracles produced by these companies included infusion and insulin pumps, pacemakers, cochlear implants, spinal cord stimulators and inhalable insulin, to name a few.

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our founder, mentor and friend, Al Mann, a pioneering leader whose contributions and vision profoundly impacted the lives of so many and whose legacy will impact many more,” said Dr. Robert Greenberg, chairman of Second Sight.

“At Second Sight, we all feel deeply honored to have worked alongside of and known such a remarkable person. The world is a little darker without his presence, but his spirit will live on in every blind person who is brought back into the light by our products,” he said.

He is survived by his wife, Claude; seven children, Howard, Brian, Rick, Carla Woods, Kevin, Al Jr. and Cassandra; his brother and sister, and 10 grandchildren.