Google is tackling the prevalent diabetes problem, which now affects one in every nineteen people on the planet, according to USNews.com. The company has developed contact lenses that will not only change the way people see the world but will improve their overall health, especially for diabetics.
One of the features of this new invention, known as smart contact lenses, includes the ability to have superhuman vision. This allows wearers to see objects in fine details that are not visible to the naked eye while also giving them enhanced focusing abilities so that they can see near and far at levels beyond normal human capability. If you put a finger up to your eye while wearing the contacts, you can actually see the fine details of your fingerprint, according to Yahoo News. These contacts may also help with vision correction, just as normal contact lenses do.
Google created a concept that is in the form of glasses, as well. When the user is wearing the contact lenses and the pair of lightweight-made glasses at the same time, it allows them to see projected digital information, like driving directions and video calls.
People with diabetic issues will benefit the most from these smart contact lenses. Google has recently announced that these contact lenses will monitor the blood glucose levels of diabetics, which can help manage the disease overall. Here’s how it works: a tiny chip sensor is embedded inside the eye contact which can record the glucose levels in the wearer’s tears.
“This has the potential to be a real game changer,” said Dr. John Buse, a Diabetes researcher at the University of North Carolina, according to Fox News.
Freshman nursing major, and type one diabetic Amanda Pierce was skeptical of the technology’s abilities.
“I wouldn’t use it because it would probably be inaccurate,” she said. Although if it was accurate she said “It would be a huge impact because you wouldn’t have to worry about constatly checking your blood sugar with finger pricks. It would make life easier.”
“Google is currently running clinical research studies on the device, while they are also testing it profusely too. Despite the fact that it isn’t ready for mass production just yet, they have begun discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its distribution,” according to Inquisitr News.
Latin Post reported that Google is also trying to use microscopic LED lights to indicate that the blood glucose levels are in healthy or unhealthy ranges. Google did warn, however, that many things still need to be worked on before marketing the product. The price of smart contact lenses is still unknown, but this device may just be a lifesaver to those who suffer from diabetes.
Madison Irwin can be reached at madison.irwin@spartans.ut.edu