Researchers have developed a contact lens that can treat glaucoma by sensing when treatment is needed and applying it.

Nature Communications describes a contact lens with wireless intraocular pressure sensors and glaucoma medication delivery on demand. Flexible, battery-free, and compact, the gadget could be a promising approach to the treatment of glaucoma.

Glaucoma (and its associated illnesses) can result in irreversible vision loss, with an increase in intraocular pressure produced by irregular fluid circulation within the eye.

Because this pressure varies with human activities and circadian rhythm, treatment is difficult because it necessitates long-term and continual monitoring of the eye’s state.

Theranostic devices, which integrate medicines and diagnostics, can track a specific ailment and administer the necessary treatment.

Xi Xie, Cheng Yang, and colleagues created a theranostic contact lens that measures intraocular pressure via electrical sensing and may dispense drugs on demand.

The gadget was shown to detect changes in intraocular pressure in pig and rabbit eyes. The medication delivery module (powered by wireless power transfer) can initiate the release of an anti-glaucoma drug into the anterior chamber of the eye through corneal barriers when the detected intraocular pressure reaches a high-risk threshold.

According to the scientists, the device’s fabrication is compatible with existing large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing procedures.

However, they state that further research is required before clinical trials may be conducted.

Source: 10.1038/s41467-022-29860-x

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