Second Sight Medical Products Inc., a maker of an artificial retina for blind patients, plans to launch a $30 million initial public offering on Tuesday.

The Sylmar company, founded by billionaire Aflred Mann, plans to sell 3.5 million shares at $9 each on the Nasdaq.

The company filed an initial prospectus in August and updated it on Friday, saying it would conduct the IPO “as soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.” It filed the final paperwork Monday.

Second Sight makes an implant that stimulates the optic nerve. A small camera mounted on eyeglasses sends a wireless signal to the device, allowing the person to see some imagery.

The system, called Argus II, is approved in the U.S. for people with a relatively rare disease called retinitis pigmentosa, and in Europe for several other visual impairments. The company plans to expand approved uses to cover nearly all blind people and to move into new foreign markets.

So far it has implanted 90 of the Argus II systems, which are approved for insurance reimbursement only in Germany and France.

“Over the next 12 to 18 months we intend to introduce the Argus II System in countries other than the U.S. and Europe with the assistance of local partners in some cases,” the prospectus stated.

Mann serves as chairman and owns 42 percent of the stock. His stake will decrease to 32 percent after the IPO. Second Sight recorded a net loss of $23 million last year and $22 million in the first nine months of this year.

The public offering is being led by MDB Capital Group in New York.

Second Sight will trade under the ticker symbol “EYES.”