Chris Geddes at the University of Maryland is working on a pair of contact lenses able to change appearance based on the wearer’s glucose levels.
Moisture from the tear ducts contains glucose that binds with the molecules of boronic acid [added to disposable contact lenses], with the reaction causing fluorescence.
A handheld unit shines a blue light into the eye and measures the resulting glow to tell the user their blood sugar levels. Another project in the works would allow the lenses to change colors more dramatically, from red to yellow to green allowing the wearer or observer a more obvious indication that they’re headed towards insulin shock by looking in the mirror.
Contact lenses react to blood-sugar levels [NewScientist via WMMNA]
Picture from: Glittery Lenses [CoolHunting]
