They create a contact lens that controls glaucoma

Glaucoma, an incurable eye disease that could affect 134 million people worldwide by 2040continues to be one of the main challenges in visual health. Although there is no cure, early detection and consistent treatment can stop vision loss and maintain the quality of life of those who suffer from it.

However, early diagnosis continues to be complicated. Current tools depend on specific measurements made in consultation, generally every six or twelve monthswhich limits continuous monitoring of intraocular pressure, the main modifiable risk factor for the disease.

In this context, technological innovation opens new possibilities. Researchers from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, in the United States, have developed a battery-free smart contact lens capable of continuously monitoring intraocular pressure and administering medications in real time.

Unlike other electronic prototypes, this new device eliminates rigid components and external power sourceswhich makes it more comfortable and safer for the patient. The design, based on low cost polymeric materialsincorporates a microfluidic sensor and a biomimetic structure which improves sensitivity to pressure changes.

Additionally, the lens includes a small reservoir that automatically releases drugs such as timolol or brimonidine when it detects high levels of eye pressure. In tests carried out with animal models and ocular tissues, the system proved to be effective in both monitoring and delivering treatment.

The results, published in the journal Science Translational Medicinesuggest that this technology could usher in a new generation of personalized eye care devices. According to the researchers, the platform is compatible with commercial lenses and could be adapted to multiple applications in ophthalmology in the future.