A smart contact lens that can monitor blood sugar levels
Scientists have developed a smart contact lens that can monitor blood sugar levels from tears of the patients suffering from diabetes, spelling an end for painful needle pricks. Although the device has not yet been tested in humans, researchers expect it will offer diabetics a pain-free way to measure their glucose levels with the blink of an eye. Here's more about it.
Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels are extremely important
For diabetics, monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels are extremely important because having high blood glucose levels for extended periods of time can lead to a host of complications. An enzyme based finger-pricking method is the most commonly used technology in diabetic assessment. However, such approach has been said to reduce compliance among diabetic patients.
The smart lens, developed by researchers from UNIST
The smart lens, developed by researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), has built-in pliable, transparent electronics that can monitor glucose levels from tears in the eye. In the last several decades, many attempts have been made to monitor glucose levels in tears with smart contact lenses, but they are often not used due to poor wearability.
What does author of the study have to say?
"These smart contact lenses are made of transparent nanomaterials and therefore do not obstruct the wearer's view," said Jihun Park, first author of the study published in the journal, Science Advances. "Our smart contact lens provides a platform for wireless, continuous, and noninvasive monitoring of physiological conditions, as well as the detection of biomarkers associated with ocular and other diseases," added Park.
No battery is required for the smart contact lens
"Besides, because the system uses wireless antenna to read sensor information, no separate power source, like battery is required for the smart contact lens sensors," Park said.
