Contact Lenses Being Developed to Diagnose Glaucoma
Researches at Northumbria University in England are working on developing contact lenses that can assist in the diagnosis of glaucoma. Although glaucoma impacts about 70 million people globally, astonishingly close to half of those living with glaucoma are unaware they have this condition. Because glaucoma can develop slowly, a diagnosis is typically made only during routine eye exams, but this can be problematic since lasting damage may have already been sustained.
A study recently published in, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, found that researchers in the UK and Turkey have developed a contact lens which can detect changes in eye pressure which signals possible glaucoma. (1) The contact lenses they are developing contain micro-sensors which monitor changes in IOP (intraocular pressure) over a period of several hours. The data is then collected wirelessly to be analyzed by an ophthalmologist and a diagnosis then provided. (2) The findings are from the initial pilot study of 6 participants. (1) After determining the technology is successful, the researches expect to continue with additional research that will include a larger group of participants. The lenses will be marketed and sold through GlakoLens, a spin-off company.
A significant benefit cited for using the GlakoLens contact lenses to diagnose glaucoma in lieu of a traditional exam is the measurements can easily be completed over a longer period of time, providing a more-accurate diagnosis. (2) One of the principal researchers, Hamad Torun, PhD said, “Intra-ocular pressure can vary greatly over a 24-hour period, so it is important to monitor the patient either at intervals or ideally continuously for a whole day to get the best insight into the health of their eyes.” (1) He also noted that traditional methods for measuring IOP entail going to a clinic for a single measurement in a day, but indicating this result can be misleading due to the natural variation of IOP.
Torun maintains the benefit of the contact lenses they have developed are that once placed in the eye, the patient can then conduct their normal daily activities while the IOP measurements are recorded and sent to the ophthalmologist for analysis once the 24 hour period of testing is complete. The new lenses have been tested with 6 healthy volunteers during which time they were asked to drink 1.5 liters of water and lie flat to intentionally increase the IOP levels. (2)
Although these lenses are not the first developed to measure IOP, earlier products have used an electrically active silicon chip resulting in a thicker, less comfortable lens. The chip also causes the lens to be less flexible, thus restricting vision and making it more difficult to conduct normal daily activities. The researchers indicate the GlakoLens uses and electrically passive sensor embedded in a disposable soft contact lens and a wearable electronic readout system to collect, store and process the data, thereby making the lens more comfortable, enabling the patient to more easily carry out their normal routine. (1) They speculate that in addition to diagnosing glaucoma, it is possible the lenses could be used to detect other health conditions by measuring glucose, lactic acid and other molecules in the eye.
- Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, December 19, 2023
- Contact Lenses to Diagnose Glaucoma, EurekAlert
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