Swiss drugmaker Novartis has struck an agreement with Google to develop “smart” contact lenses that would help diabetics to track their blood glucose levels or restore the eye’s ability to focus.
The device for diabetics would measure glucose in tear fluid and send the data wirelessly to a mobile device, Novartis said.
The technology is potentially life changing for many diabetics, who prick their fingers as many as 10 times daily to check their body’s production of the sugar.
Diabetes afflicts an estimated 382 million people worldwide.
Many people with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2 diabetes monitor their blood glucose level to help to manage their condition and reduce the risk of health complications such as amputation and blindness.
The second element of the Google agreement is centered on presbyopia, in which ageing eyes have trouble focusing on close objects.
Non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniaturized electronics would be embedded into the contact lenses.
The alliance comes as drugmakers explore ways for technology to reshape health care, helping patients to monitor their own health and lowering the costs of managing chronic diseases.
In turn, technology companies such as Apple, Samsung Electronics and Google are trying to find health-related applications for wearable devices. (PL)