Bioengineers at the University of Maryland are developing contact lenses that change color in response to changes in blood sugar. The approach would benefit diabetics who traditionally use skin prick tests to monitor their glucose levels. One of scientist Chris Geddes's prototypes requires the wearer to use a handheld device that flashes a blue light at the eye and measures the glow. From New Scientist:
Geddes' team is looking at several options for users. Rather than having the entire contact lens glow, tiny sensor spots could be placed around the contact lens. Those spots could monitor glucose, as well as sodium, cholesterol and potassium…
The group is also working on a contact lens that would change colour like a traffic light – from green to yellow to orange to red – enabling the wearer or an observer to determine a broader range of blood sugar level, from too low to too high.
