Contact Lens Technology of the Future 

Content lenses have come a long way since their beginnings and the future developments in the field are exciting to say the least. Over 3.7 million contact wearers in the UK and now they can look forward to new concepts that include advancements such as built-in sensors, augmented reality capabilities, and enhanced comfort and eye health. 

Now it is possible for smart contact lenses to monitor physiological information of tear and eye fluid to provide medical data and medical diagnostics. This has the potential to significantly change the game when it comes to improving eyesight and diagnosing conditions like glaucoma, hypertension, and even strokes. 

Here are just a few of the future developments content lens wearers could benefit from:

Smart Contact Lenses with Built-In Sensors 

Those of us who wear disposable or monthly lenses can improve our eyesight even further with the upcoming release of smart contact lenses. Sensors are integrated to lenses to gather and transmit data about various aspects of the wearer’s eye health. This will allow the observation of blood glucose levels, tracking hydration, and assessing tear film quality. 

There are also lenses designed to auto-focus on different distances, which is perfect for those with multiple prescriptions. Soon, you’ll even see lenses that correct colour-blindness and night vision lenses that use thermal technology. 

Biocompatible Materials for Comfort and Eye Health 

Despite relative advancements in this area, one of only pitfalls of current contact lenses is that wearing times can be limited due to minor discomfort. The new combination of biocompatible materials means that eye irritation can be ruled out as a far superior fit is provided for better comfort. 

Wetting agents and surfaces of hydrogel and silicone hydrogel allows for a very low tear-lens surface tension. This should address issues of dryness and discomfort as it improves wettability and biocompatibility. 

Customisable Contact Lenses 

Personalised contact lenses will be developed for patients who are looking for prosthetic or cosmetic contact lenses. Special effects can include anything from vibrant colours to elimination uncomfortable visual disturbances for those suffering from light sensitivity and double vision. Trauma to the eyeball or congenital abnormalities can be concealed which increases the users’ self-esteem. 

These soft customisable contact lenses are designed to overlap the eye and conceal the cornea underneath. 

Safety and Ethical Considerations 

The fast-paced jumps being made in smart contact lenses and the like has promoted ethical concerns regarding the privacy of data and usage. Due to the sensitive information they collect, there is always the possibility of the misuse of data without user consent so the need to ensure accountability and transparency with this technology has never been greater.