Led by William H. Dobelle, the Dobelle Institute sought to develop and commercialize artificial vision implants.

From 1983 through 2001, Dobelle maintained facilities in Zürich, Switzerland (Institut Dobelle, AG), which was subsequently closed in favor of a facility in Lisbon, Portugal, to facilitate commercial introduction of Artificial Vision systems.

Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not approved the Artificial Vision System for clinical investigation or commercial distribution in the United States, Dobelle sent his patients to a surgeon in Lisbon, Portugal.

Dobelle served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Dobelle Institute (Portugal) Lda. from 1983 until his death.