If James Bond wore contact lenses, chances are he’d opt for those being developed at the University of Vigo in Spain which contain gold to protect the eyes. 

Lead researcher, Associate Professor Miguel Correa-Duarte said the lenses dissipate light and energy using tiny, gold-based nanocapsules and could provide adequate protection for day-to-day activities. He cites damage from sunlight or lasers at concerts as being possible current uses for the lenses, rather than as safety protection in workplaces. 

Showing it's possible to embed the gold nanocapsules within contact lenses is the university’s first step towards pursuing further medical uses for the technology, said A/Prof Correa-Duarte. “This simple approach is quite powerful. There are plenty of options to develop new applications.”

In the study, published in scientific journal Applied Materials Today, he also said that nanocapsules close to the surface of the contact lens can potentially trap and release molecules, which could be used to slowly deliver drugs or to collect molecules for diagnosing diseases.