Glaucoma lenses

2023: Product Announcement

At the end of January 2023, Purdue University of America introduced a technology for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure in the human eye.

Scientists have shown that variability in intraocular pressure is associated with damage to the retinal structure that occurs in patients with. glaucoma This condition narrows peripheral vision and can lead to vision loss in severe cases. Compared to existing lens tonometers, which significantly increase the thickness and stiffness of the lenses, causing discomfort in patients, updated smart contact lenses retain all the qualities of conventional soft corrective lenses: optical strength, biocompatibility, softness, transparency, wettability, oxygen permeability and the ability to wear for 24 hours.

Lenses designed to monitor and treat glaucoma

The research team developed a smart contact lens by combining an intraocular pressure sensor and a flexible drug delivery system to control the measurement of intraocular pressure variability and medication intake. Sensors that are available for glaucoma patients as of January 2023 do not have the function of administering the appropriate amount of drug depending on the level of intraocular pressure variability.

The researchers successfully demonstrated that the theranostic smart contact lens allows the measurement of intraocular pressure in the eye in real time and release the appropriate amount of the drug depending on the degree of intraocular pressure. A smart contact lens is expected to personalize glaucoma treatment with maximum efficacy and minimal side effects. In addition, the feedback system will be applicable to various wearable devices, in addition to smart contact lenses.^[1]

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