Table of Contents
- What Are Smart Contact Lenses?
- How Smart Lenses Work
- Breakthrough Use Cases for Smart Contacts
- Latest Innovations in Contact Lens Technology
- Benefits of Smart Lenses
- Challenges and Limitations
- Market Trends & Future Outlook
- Conclusion
- FAQs
The digital wearable industry is gaining popularity globally. One of the latest innovations in the industry is a smart contact lens. Simply put, smart contact lenses are contact lenses that can do more than correct vision problems. Its non-invasive feature and accurate detection capabilities have led to its widespread acceptance.
In this blog, we will discuss how smart contact lenses work, their usage in detecting eye issues, their benefits, and challenges.
What Are Smart Contact Lenses?
Smart contact lenses (SCLs), also known as digital eye lenses, are an advanced type of lens that is equipped with microelectronics to perform a wide range of functions beyond vision correction. Originally developed for creating augmented reality and vision improvement, these have been further developed for additional functionalities, including health monitoring capabilities and drug delivery systems.
Additionally, a smart contact lens is a wearable device that combines advanced electronic components, biosensors, and communication capabilities. Experts suggest that this latest development in ocular wearables offers numerous functionalities, such as real-time insights, customized user experiences, and early detection of critical health issues.
How Smart Contact Lenses Work
Smart contact lenses are equipped with smart microsensors that track various physiological factors depending on the movements of the eye.
These advanced contact lenses are made up of micro-processing units and microelectronics that process data from the sensors, carry out calculations, and connect to other devices.
Furthermore, these lenses monitor several biomarkers of the body, ocular pressure, glucose levels in the tears, and other important factors that help determine the overall health of an individual, along with eye health.
Breakthrough Use Cases for Smart Contact Lenses
Several studies have noted that smart contact lens technology has the potential to change vision care completely, owing to its non-invasive property. It is vital to understand how this technology can help in preventing major eye problems.
- Glucose monitoring for diabetics: Some smart contact lenses are specially equipped with glucose sensors. The tears in our eyes carry several bio-information, including the glucose levels of an individual. When these glucose sensors come in contact with the tears, they monitor the sugar level and transmit the data accurately to a device. Doctors believe this functionality will replace the painful finger-prick tests used for detecting diabetes in the near future.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) tracking for glaucoma patients: Most glaucoma patients experience signs/symptoms at a later stage when the condition has worsened. The smart sensors in SCLs can monitor the Intraocular pressure (IOP) continuously and send the data to the connected smartphone/device, which can help identify the problem earlier and reduce the chances of vision loss considerably.
Additionally, the hydrogel layer of the lens can detect the change in IOP. In case there is any change in pressure, the layer triggers an electric signal. This signal, in turn, allows a specialized storage system to deliver the medication to the specific parts of the eyes.
- Autofocus and augmented vision for presbyopia: Although in the nascent stage of development, this capability of smart contact lenses aims at mimicking the eye’s natural ability to focus on objects.
- Drug delivery via lens material: Drug delivery is considered the most important breakthrough in smart contact lenses. The lenses can provide targeted and controlled amounts of medications to the affected area in the eyes. This feature minimizes side effects, enhances patient care, and improves the efficacy of the medicines.
Latest Innovations in Contact Lens Technology
In the past two decades, there have been some major advancements in contact lens technology. Let’s have a look at some of these.Earlier, people used to wear hard contact lenses made of plastic that caused persistent irritation/discomfort in the eyes. Nowadays, people have switched to silicone-hydrogel-based lenses as these offer enhanced moisture, less irritation in the eyes, and are easier to handle for longer hours. Customized to every patient’s specific needs, these types of lenses are one of the important advancements in the latest contact lens technology. The lenses minimize the progression of any eye ailments.
To meet the continuous demand for protective eyewear, companies are providing a coating in the lenses that can protect the eyes from harmful UV and artificial blue light.
In addition to this, companies are building prototype smart lenses that combine material science, microelectronics, and biotechnology to revolutionize sectors outside optometry.
Benefits of Smart Contact Lenses
The applications of smart contact lenses are manifold. According to a financial report, in 2018, the global smart contact lenses market size was valued at USD 115.0 million and is projected to reach USD 9,725.5 million by 2032.
The primary factor responsible for such unprecedented growth in the adoption of this lens is its non-invasive feature. Owing to its non-invasive technology clubbed with monitoring capabilities, it guarantees timely prevention of specific health issues. In addition to this, the biosensors allow the patients to get personalized health insights, which reduces the need for frequent doctor visits and dependence on bulky medical equipment.
Several medical companies are working on adding the functionality of delivering medicines via this latest invention without the need for a needle. This will help the patient manage their eye problem efficiently.
Challenges and Limitations of Smart Contact Lenses
Although smart contact lenses offer numerous benefits, they come with their own set of challenges. Some of them are as follows:
- Biocompatibility and comfort: Manufacturers must ensure that these lenses are made up of biocompatible products that cause no adverse effects to the eye.
- Power source and These lenses require a safe, reliable power source to function efficiently. Currently, these are powered by bulky batteries that are quite uncomfortable for the eyes.
- Data security: Maintaining privacy has become one of the primary challenges in this digital age. Smart lenses monitor, capture, and store private health data that can raise concerns about data privacy.
- Regulatory hurdles and clinical validation
Market Trends & Future Outlook
According to a US-based report, the smart contact lens market is expected to grow to $8.61 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%.
Due to the increasing demand for healthcare innovative solutions, coupled with the rise in age-related eye ailments such as glaucoma and diabetes, the digital health industry is pushing towards developing these lenses. As mentioned earlier, companies are working on integrating sensors for glucose monitoring and intraocular pressure monitoring, which can revolutionize diabetes management and glaucoma treatment.
Tech giants such as Mojovision have created smart lenses that can create augmented reality around the wearer with simple eye movements. The company is working tirelessly to expand its application to real-time notifications, remote control, data synchronization, and navigation capabilities.
Experts in the digital health industry also claim that due to advancements in microelectronics, IoT (Internet of Things) integration, and continuous innovation in wearables, smart lenses have the potential to change the health tech industry.
Conclusion
The development of smart contact lenses is an important technological innovation, as it represents the convergence of vision correction and medical technology. While still in its emerging stages, they have the potential to redefine personal health monitoring, prevent serious ailments, and develop accurate drug delivery systems. Our eye experts expect this advancement to revolutionize the overall medical industry. So, keep an eye on this space as it’s just getting started.
