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Self-moisturising smart contact lenses
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Self-moisturising smart contact lenses

January 24, 2020
Illustration of a self-moisturising soft contact lens that supplies tears via electroosmotic flow from the temporary tear reservoir behind the lower eyelid via Tohoku University

Illustration of a self-moisturising soft contact lens that supplies tears via electroosmotic flow from the temporary tear reservoir behind the lower eyelid

via Tohoku University

Article Highlights
  • Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new type of smart contact lenses that can prevent dry eyes. The self-moisturising system, which is described in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies, maintains a layer of fluid between the contact lens and the eye using a novel mechanism
  • Smart contact lenses are wearable devices that could accelerate vision beyond natural human capabilities. They are being developed for a wide range of applications from non-invasive monitoring to vision correction to augmented reality display
  • "Although there have been many recent advancements in new functions for smart contact lenses, there has been little progress in solving the drawbacks associated with wearing contact lenses day to day," says Professor Matsuhiko Nishizawa, an engineer at Tohoku University
  • One of the biggest problems with contact lenses is they can cause "dry eye syndrome" due to reduced blinking and increased moisture evaporation. Dry eye syndrome can lead to corneal wounds and inflammation as well as a feeling of discomfort
  • In order to tackle this important problem, the researchers developed a new mechanism that keeps the lens moist. The system uses electroosmotic flow (EOF), which causes liquid to flow when a voltage is applied across a charged surface. In this case, a current applied to a hydrogel causes fluid to flow upwards from the patient's temporary tear reservoir behind the lower eyelid to the surface of the eye
  • "In the future, there is scope to expand this technology for other applications, such as drug delivery," says Nishizawa
The Complete Story: Self-moisturising Smart Contact Lenses

Tohoku University

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