The use of LED enabled researchers to create bionic LED contact lens, that would allow users to view screens before their eyes, thereby enabling them to experience the world in different dimensions. It will be beneficial for use in the medical setting, when the lenses can be used to aid non-invasive medical diagnosis. For instance, the use of bionic LED contact lenses would allow users to monitor the biomarkers present in their blood. This will be potentially life-changing for patients who are diabetic, since it reduces the need for patients to rely on conventional invasive tests, such as finger pricking tests to determine one’s blood glucose level.
In order to turn the lens into a functional system, it involves the integration of control circuits, communication circuits, and miniature antennas into the lens using custom-built optoelectronic components. These components will eventually include hundreds of LEDs, which are utilised for image formations (e.g. words, charts, photographs) in front of the eyes. As most of the hardware is semi-transparent, it means that users can navigate their surroundings without crashing into them or becoming disoriented. However, it is expected that a separate, portable device will be needed to relay displayable information to the lens’ control circuit, which will operate the optoelectronics in the lens.
As the world progresses, general consumers are shifting towards the adoption of smaller screens, from big screens (TV, computer) to smaller screens (phones, smart watches to contact lenses). Therefore it is expected that such a contact lens will be highly receptive among the general population. However, it is essential for users to first address the concern of the potential damage to eyes. Overcoming this concern would definitely improve the likelihood of adoption among the general public, considering the convenience and benefits that the lens can offer.
References:
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/1/eaap9841
https://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/bionics/augmented-reality-in-a-contact-lens