Scientists develop contact lens capable of 'zooming in'
Marie Donlon | July 29, 2019
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a contact lens that can be controlled by eye movements.
The contact lens, which can zoom in with just a double blink of an eye, was developed using a technique for monitoring and recording eye movement called electrooculography. The team of scientists ascertained the electrooculographic signals created when eyes make particular movements including up, down, right, left, double blink and single blink movements. Once measured, the team developed a soft biomimetic lens that responds to those electrical signals. Depending on the signals produced, the lens can change focal length. As such, the lens can rapidly zoom in.
Reportedly, the lens works whether or not the wearer can see. The team explained that the development is not about sight but rather about the electricity produced by the particular eye movements.
In terms of future applications, the team of scientists believes that the contact lens might be used in remotely operated robotics, visual prostheses and adjustable glasses to name just a few possible applications.
The research is published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Does this mean the lens can focus like a zoom lens? Eagle vision?
I had my cataracts replaced with Crystal Lens. These have a "hinge" on both sides
that are attached to my circular eye muscles. That allows me to see up close for reading, and at infinity for distance, and,
of course, at normal video distance for PC work. It is continuously variable. My distance vision with naked eye is 20/30; OK for day driving, but not for night. I wear corrective glasses for night driving.
Not cheap, though!