The Future Of Contact Lenses: Are Smart Contact Lenses The Future?
Smart contact lenses could revolutionize the way we see. Imagine being able to have your smartphone analyze the image you’re looking at, then instantly connect that visual data with information from your eye and adjust the view accordingly. Sounds crazy, but smart contact lenses are closer than you might think. Smart lenses have several advantages over traditional ones. For starters, they offer a more natural vision thanks to their programmable software and sensors integrated into them. They can also be easily switched between prescription types without having to make an appointment or visit a specialist doctor. The future of smart lenses is bright, so it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing them on store shelves across the country. Smart Contact Lenses: Are They The Future?
The Basics of Smart Contact Lens Technology
The first smart contact lens was actually a smart device. It was called the Nova—a prototype that accurately measured the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream through sensors integrated into the contact lens itself. The Nova was not capable of transmitting visual data, however. So, how does a smart contact lens work? Today’s smart contact lenses contain a tiny computer embedded into them. The computer is powered by a tiny battery and is programmed to receive visual data, such as an image or a video feed, then analyze it and change the lens’ visual characteristics based on the data it receives. The contact lens could then either transmit visual data to the eye or receive visual data from the eye. This data could be adjusted and manipulated to help improve the quality and clarity of the person’s vision. As technology continues to advance, we might one day see smart contact lenses that can show visual data on the lens itself or even transmit music or aromas.
How a Smart Lens Works
The Nova smart contact lens was the first smart contact lens to be developed. The lens contained a tiny computer inserted into an indentation on the lens surface. The computer was powered by a battery that was worn on the person’s finger. The computer was programmed to receive visual data, such as an image or a video feed, then analyze it and change the lens’ visual characteristics based on the data it receives. For example, if the person was wearing a contact lens that was intended for nearsightedness, the lens would change the color of the image to make it appear more blurry. The person would then be able to focus on the blurred image and see it clearer. If the lens switched to a lens that was designed for farsightedness, the lens would change the color of the image to blur it so the person could then focus on it better. The person could then switch the lens back to the one that was intended for nearsightedness.
Why is Smart Contact Lens Technology so Important?
Smart contact lenses have a lot of potential to make daily life easier. They give people the ability to see clearly while also connecting that visual data with information from the person’s eye and adjusting the view accordingly. For example, if a person has trouble reading a menu, he could have their smart contact lens display an interactive menu on the lens itself. This would allow the person to read each item without having to remove their contact lens to look down at the menu. While the technology is still relatively new, there is a lot of potential for this type of interface. Once virtual and augmented reality-enabled lenses start to become more common, smart lenses could be used for many more purposes than just reading a menu.
What Type of Tech is in a Smart Lens?
When you wear a smart contact lens, you’re not just wearing a tiny computer—you’re also wearing a miniature battery. This means that you’re constantly pulling power from the battery to run the computer. As smart lens technology continues to advance, the computer in a smart lens may become so small that it’s no longer part of the lens itself. This could allow people to wear a smart lens while doing other things and not have to worry about constantly pulling power from a battery. Some smart lens devices may also have sensors built in. These sensors may be able to detect glucose levels in your bloodstream or measure the pressure in your eyes and transmit that data to the smart contact lens. These are just a few potential uses for smart sensor technology. In the future, we could see smart lenses that can transmit visual data to help people with certain medical conditions.
Which Brands are Developing Smart Contact Lenses?
There are a few dozen companies developing smart contact lens technology today. The most well-known brands are contact lens manufacturer Alcon, lens maker Alpha Optical, smart lens startup Alledri, and lens-maker One Day Optics. Some of these companies are also partnering with startups to develop new smart lens technology. For example, One Day Optics is collaborating with Arizona-based startup Lumiglow to create smart lenses that can transmit visual data to the eye. Lumiglow is also working with lens-maker Johnson & Johnson to create smart contact lenses that might one day store prescription data or transmit visual data on the lens. There are a few other startups developing smart contact lens technology as well. Some of these companies are developing smart contact lenses that transform into sunglasses, like New York-based startup Numi. Others are creating smart contact lenses that may change their shape based on the person’s eye shape, like San Diego-based startup SpectraS.
Can You Get a Smart Lens Today?
The first smart contact lenses became available in the US in 2017. While the technology is quickly advancing, it’s still a new technology that’s only been used in the clinic. For now, the only smart lens available is the Alcon Vision Care Connect. It’s designed to be used to correct nearsightedness. You can get one of these lenses at your eye doctor’s office or order one online. You can also get a prescription for one of these lenses through an eye doctor. With these lenses, you have to have a prescription for the type of vision correction you’ll use the lens for. There are currently no FDA-approved smart contact lens products for sale to the public. This means that you can’t just walk into a pharmacy and buy a smart lens. Instead, you’ll need to have your eyes examined by an eye doctor. Once your eyes are deemed healthy enough to wear a smart lens, you’ll receive a prescription for the lens.
Where do we go from here?
Smart contact lens technology has a lot of potential, but it’s still in development. Many smart lens devices are currently under development and may not be available for several years. As technology continues to advance, we could see smart lenses that could transmit visual data to a virtual or augmented reality device or even have the ability to change shape. There are also some startups developing smart contact lens hardware that may one day be available for purchase. The biggest barrier to widespread adoption of smart contact lenses is price. Currently, most smart contact lens devices cost between $1,000 and $2,000. That’s a lot of money for something that may not work as well as traditional contact lenses. However, it’s important to remember that smart lenses have a lot of potential and may be cheaper in the future.
