Colour changing contact lenses to aid diabetics


Following today’s shocking news from Fiji that four in ten people are suffering from diabetes, and a third of these are unaware of their condition, hope could be placed in a revolutionary contact lens. Diabetes can severely affect the sufferer’s eyes and can lead to many vision problems including blindness. However, with this new contact lens, the diabetic could be warned of their changing blood glucose levels by a change in the colour of their contact lens.

They work with the use of incredibly small nanoparticles which are placed within the lenses which then react with glucose found in tears; this then creates a chemical reaction and causes the lens to change colour. The lens is therefore able to alert the diabetes sufferer to any changes in their blood glucose levels throughout their entire day and rids the need of the sometimes inconvenient finger pricking and blood tests.

There is a delay in the time with the levels of glucose in the tears and that of the blood by half an hour, but it is still thought a more efficient, convenient method. However, there have always been concerns that the use of contact lenses for diabetics can increase the risks of other side effects such as infections and ulcers. Although, many healthcare professionals believe that with the right prescription and diagnosis, the right contact lens can be found. Additionally, with the recent health scare in Fiji, it does appear that the answer to helping prevent and protect against diabetes lies within our eyes.

28th December 2009

<<<previous page


Laser Eye Surgery Enquiry Form

Complete this form if you would like information about laser eye surgery including costs & suitablity.