Augmented Reality in a Contact Lens

A contact lens with simple-built in electronics is already being discovered. At the University of Washington in Seattle, a group of students are beginning to make these innovations. They have integrated control circuits, communication circuits, and miniature antennas into lenses that we use to improve our eyesight by the use of custom-built optoelectronic components. Eventually, images like charts and photographs will appear in front of the eye by the help of LEDs in these optoelectronic components.

Apart from serving as visual aids, these lenses will also be able to serve as sensors. For example, sensors built onto the lenses would let diabetic wearers keep tabs on blood-sugar levels without needing to prick a finger. In addition, a configured contact lens could monitor cholesterol, sodium, and potassium levels. With the help of a wireless data transmitter, the lenses could deliver information to doctors or nurses in a matter of seconds, avoiding needles and a chance of mix-ups.

There are a few challenges impeding the making of these multipurpose contact lenses. One is the imcompatibility of the processes involved in the making. Another problem is that all the essential components of the lens need to be miniaturized and put onto about 1.5 square centimeters of a flexible, transparent polymer. Lastly, the components of LEDs are not biocompatible and therefore these lenses cannot be safely worn by individuals yet.

http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/bionics/augmented-reality-in-a-contact-lens