A colour-changing smart contact lens that indicates eye moisture and pressure changes could be used to diagnose common eye diseases, such as xerophthalmia and glaucoma.
Developed at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology in China, the smart lens is made from biocompatible hydrogel and features periodic nanostructures within the poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) hydrogel matrix. The spacing of the nanostructures within the pHEMA hydrogel are sensitive to changes in moisture and pressure, leading to bright, tunable colour changes, said study lead Professor Xuemin Du.
"This study provides a novel and smart wearable device for timely and facile warning of the risks of xerophthalmia and high intraocular pressure disease. It will also inspire the design of a new generation of wearable devices with colorimetric sensing capabilities for real-time, point-of-care monitoring of various human body signs and diseases."
The study was published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B.
