The implant comprises an array of micro-electrodes 4 including at least two stimulation micro-electrodes. Each electrode comprises a core 106 of conducting material surrounded by insulating material 108 and a layer 112 of metal or metal oxide nano-structures deposited on its tip at a front end for interfacing with a target site for visual stimulation. The implant also comprises an integrated circuit (6, fig 7) to control a pattern of stimulation current driven through the array of micro-electrodes. The electrodes may comprise Taylor-Ulitovsky wires having a diameter of less than or equal to 30 µm with the front-end tip sharpened such that the nano-structures are formed on the angled surface and a functionalization layer of iridium oxide deposited on the nano-structures. The implant may also comprise a connection layer of metal nano-structures 110 deposited at the back end of the electrodes for interfacing with the integrated circuit.
