Hi-tech contact lenses against glaucoma. This is the latest invention developed by Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea). Created by Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea), they contain one millionth of a millimetre nano-threads, which can measure eye pressure and administer drugs.
A 'smart' theranostic contact lens (i.e. capable both of administering a treatment – therapeutics – and making a diagnosis – diagnostics) could improve the management of glaucoma, a disease that in severe cases can even lead to blindness.
With glaucoma, fluid drainage systems inside the eye do not work properly, causing a progressive increase in internal pressure that, in turn, damages the optic nerve. Sufferers therefore must be constantly monitored, to check their intraocular situation and administer appropriate medication before the damage becomes irreversible.
There are devices that allow patients to check the pressure at home themselves without having to visit an ophthalmologist, but now special lenses developed by bioengineers at the Pohang University of Science, and Technology (Postech) South Korea, and described in the scientific journal Nature Communications could go a step further by combining continuous measurement with delivering the most appropriate dose of medication.
How do they work? These high-tech lenses have an extremely sensitive intraocular pressure sensor at the bottom, based on gold nano-threads (nanometric diameter threads), which are hollow inside. They are combined with a flexible drug delivery system (in this case timolol) and a micro power supply and wireless data communication device. There is also a chip that regulates both intraocular pressure monitoring and the release of medication in response to data collected.
An increasingly customised therapy to treat glaucoma
Lenses made like this proved to be extremely biocompatible and resistant to mechanical stress, but also to 'attack' by substances in the eye. Scientists have tested them on rabbits suffering from glaucoma, with very positive results.
Researchers explain that if the results are confirmed by further tests, the new contact lens will make customised glaucoma treatment possible, with maximum effectiveness and minimal side effects.
Glaucoma: a 'silent' disease
Glaucoma affects around 80 million people worldwide. In many cases the disease does not emerge for a long time, or the symptoms, in any case, are very mild and tend to be underestimated.
However, when problems do occur, it becomes difficult to intervene (which is why glaucoma is sometimes called 'the silent thief of sight'). Therefore, it is very important to have regular check-ups done by an ophthalmologist from a young age.
