"Smart Contact Lenses Keep an Eye on Glaucoma by Monitoring Eye Pressure Changes"

Researchers have created contact lenses that can monitor changes in eye pressure, helping in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated in time.

Glaucoma happens when increased pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, the link between the eye and the brain. It's often called the 'silent thief of sight' because it develops slowly, causing harm before any noticeable vision loss. By the time it's found during regular eye exams, the damage may be irreversible.

The new lenses, called GlakoLens, have embedded sensors in a soft disposable contact lens. These sensors measure intraocular pressure (IOP), and the information is wirelessly sent to an ophthalmologist for analysis. Compared to traditional eye exams, GlakoLens allows for easier and more accurate IOP measurements over an extended period.

The lenses use an electrically passive sensor in a soft contact lens made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The data is collected wirelessly by a wearable electronic system, which processes and stores the information. It's then given to an ophthalmologist for evaluation.

The advantage of GlakoLens is that IOP measurements can be taken over a whole day, providing a better understanding of eye health. This is crucial as IOP can vary significantly within 24 hours. Traditional methods involve a single measurement at a clinic, which may not reflect the true IOP variation. If a variation is detected, further investigation requires a day-long hospital stay for repeated measurements using a method called Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).

Once GlakoLens is placed in the eye, patients can go about their day while the lens records IOP measurements. After 24 hours, the data is sent to the doctor for analysis.

The researchers tested the lenses on six healthy volunteers, measuring the effects of increased IOP intentionally induced by drinking water. The results showed that the lens sensors responded accurately.

Although other glaucoma-detecting lenses exist, GlakoLens stands out for its electrically passive sensor and soft contact lens, providing comfort for wearers. The researchers plan to conduct further experiments with larger groups to confirm the sensor's accuracy and reliability. They also aim to improve the comfort and non-invasiveness of the lenses in future versions.

Apart from diagnosing glaucoma, the researchers believe their lenses could detect other health conditions by measuring substances like glucose and lactic acid in the eye.

The study, published in the Contact Lens and Anterior Eye journal, suggests a promising future for GlakoLens. The lenses are expected to be commercially available through the spin-off company GlakoLens.

Source: Northumbria University

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