Contact lens computer screens

Tests on animals have proven hopeful for the future of contact lenses that can project images in front of the eyes. The device, developed by researchers at Washington University, could allow wearers to read floating text or navigate their surroundings with computer-generated images. The animal tests proved that the lenses are safe and feasible to use.

However, the prototype device is still in the early stages with significant barriers to overcome. Currently the power source presents the biggest issue, as the lenses will only function within centimetres of the wireless battery.

Although the microcircuitry only holds one light-emitting diode, these early tests have established a foundation that scientists hope will lead to hundreds of pixels producing complex images. There are a huge variety of uses that these lenses could have, from sensing and relaying information about the person’s health to stunning visual effects in computer games. Of course there is still some way before these applications can be realised.

Lead researcher Professor Babak Praviz said: "Our next goal is to incorporate some predetermined text in the contact lens." The team have managed to focus the human eye on the lens-generated image by shortening the focal distance, a major challenge since the materials used in contact lenses are by nature extremely delicate.

Published: Tuesday, 22nd November 2011 by Ellen Haggan