Science & Nature

Setting our sights further: the contact lens with more to offer

By team ⋅ March 27, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

The Times, 2nd February

A new contact lens with the potential to project a high resolution telephone display directly onto the retina has been developed by researchers at the University of Washington. The innovative technology means that games, documents and music collections could be displayed in the users field of vision.

‘Our goal is to integrate a display which can do everything that an iPhone or computer does now’ claims Babak Parviz, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Washington. ‘A user could manipulate the document by blinking or by using his voice’.

The device will work by equipping a polymer-based lens with a biologically compatible circuit using metal circuitry and light-emitting diodes. Ultra thin antennas will be used to transmit information wirelessly to the outside world. The lens is as thin and comfortable as a regular hard contact lens.

The design is being developed for two main purposes: the lens will enable users to live in an ‘augmented reality’, said Parviz. Soldiers may be able to use infra-red cameras and doctors will be able to access information, while civilians browse through emails.

The more controversial purpose is to use the lens as a sensor to monitor chemical levels and overall health. Drops in blood sugar level could activate red lights which warn users to find the nearest hospital.
Despite fears of hacking and health risks, rabbit’s eyes have revealed no adverse effects to minimal use and Parviz’s scheme has attracted serious attention from big corporations and the American military. ‘We have to be careful’, said Parviz with reference to the heat generated by functioning circuits. ‘We need to take all the possible precautions to make sure this is safe.’