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Making Contact

“ The double-layer, wireless contact lens uses tiny sensors that,

when squeezed together, produce an electrical signal to
measure IOP and predict which glaucoma patients may have
a faster-advancing form. When the signal is powerful enough, a

mild electrical current
directly initiates the
Recently, scientists from Sun Yat-Sen administration of an
University in Guangzhou, China
The inherent lens qualities of lens power, created a wireless theranostic contact anti-glaucoma
biocompatibility, softness, transparency, lens (WTCL) sensor for in-situ IOP medication from a
wettability, oxygen transmissibility, and detection and on-demand delivery
overnight wearability are all maintained of anti-glaucoma medications. The hydrogel layer within
in Purdue’s smart soft contact lenses. double-layer, wireless contact lens the lens to increase

The tonometer on the sensor makes a uses tiny sensors that, when squeezed aqueous humour
wireless recording that is relayed to a together, produce an electrical signal drainage and lower
receiver in a pair of eyeglasses. Clinicians to measure IOP and predict which
can receive remote access to the whole glaucoma patients may have a IOP. “
24-hour IOP rhythm data via an faster-advancing form. When the
encrypted server. If an IOP increase is signal is powerful enough, a mild
detected, the tonometer can produce electrical current directly initiates the
an audio signal, enabling timely administration of an anti-glaucoma
intervention and eliminating the need medication from a hydrogel layer within basis, detect fluctuations before they
for clinic visits. the lens to increase aqueous humour
drainage and lower IOP. have a significant impact, and predict
To advance and bring this cutting-edge whether the condition will progress
technology to market, BVS Sight Inc. Researchers claim that because the slowly or quickly. As a result, glaucoma
was established as a start-up company WTCL’s manufacturing process is patients can stop taking their
by Purdue University in partnership compatible with the commercial medication once their condition
with Boomerang Ventures Studio, production of printed circuit boards, it improves; this also helps to avoid
Purdue Foundry, and the Purdue has the potential to be produced on a adverse effects that might come from
Research Foundation Office of large scale. It also boasts a lightweight, long-term overmedication.
Technology Commercialization. Its goal minimally invasive, battery-free design. Clinically, the application of these
is to increase the availability of other The investigators showed that the modern smart contact lenses not only

future healthcare technologies. introduction of the anti-glaucoma drug, offers clear vision, as any contact lens
brimonidine, reduced the IOP in rabbits’ would, but the technology also increases
IOP SENSING AND DRUG RELEASING
eyes by nearly a third in just 30 minutes the advantages for patients and eye
Theranostic technology is a fascinating with those levels maintained for a longer doctors, who have long desired more
advance in smart contact lenses. These period of time than the delivery of the affordable and pleasant ways to track
devices are a new name for smart same medication through an eye drop; IOP. The only challenge may be wearing
contact lenses that can BOTH detect in that case the IOP quickly returned. the smart contact lenses every day.
and treat glaucoma. They provide a
promising alternative for the treatment of All in all, smart contact lenses hold great While there is no cure for glaucoma,
glaucoma since they can be customized promise. By transmitting changes in advances in smart contact lens
to meet the unique clinical needs of each IOP data continuously to smartphones research will move us closer to finding a
patient. Potentially, they may replace or computers using sensors integrated solution to not only delaying glaucoma

topical ocular hypotensive medications in the lens, similar to those used in progression, but also slowing the

and can be highly beneficial for patients smartphones and other wearable devices, progression of other chronic ocular
who are not compliant and/or who have smart contact lenses can help monitor diseases that this technology can
difficulty using drops. accurately the absolute IOP on a daily unobtrusively monitor and treat. n
E
1- Zhang, J., Kim, K., Kim, H.J. et al. Smart soft contact lenses for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure in glaucoma care. Nat Commun 13, 5518 (2022).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33254-4
2- Yang, C., Wu, Q., Liu, J. et al. Intelligent wireless theranostic contact lens for electrical sensing and regulation of intraocular pressure. Nat Commun 13, 2556 (2022).

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