Adaptive Lenses

Eyesight is something that we in the developed world take for granted, but what if we didn't have the luxury of seeing in perfect vision? Didn't have glasses or contacts? Unfortunately, around 1 billion people in the world would benefit from corrective lenses but lack the money to buy conventional lenses.

This is where Joshua Silver comes in. A physicist by trade but a philanthropist at heart, Dr. Silver developed adaptive spectacles. These are specially made lenses that work by injecting silicon in into the “lens” thereby increasing or decreasing their strength from -6 to 6 Dioptres. This range represents 90% of all peoples needing corrective vision. Because the strength of the lenses can be easily modulated by injecting more silicon, people in the developing countries of the world, without access to regular health care, can correct their own vision simply and easily without having to see a doctor.

Dr. Silver had been reported being offered millions of dollars for his design but has refused the money because he believes that the corporations wouldn’t put the technology in the hands of the people that need it most, the poor in developing countries.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/22/diy-adjustable-glasses-josh-silver