Wearable technology climbs to a newer level with Smart contact lens

I have always looked up to Google as the most creative Internet giant. Lately, we’ve been talking a lot about Google Glass. Glass is the hot topic, the soon to be consumer-friendly device that everyone is waiting for. Encountering the words ‘smart contact lens’ you must not be misled to believe that this is going to be a smaller version of Glass. No, nowhere close.

This smart contact lens is an idea in the healthcare spectrum, the latest from the Google X department. Basically, this lens is exclusively for people diagnosed with diabetes. The smart contact lens has been designed in a way to measure glucose levels in tears. As you can see from the picture, the lens hosts a wireless chip with a miniature glucose sensor. Both of them are held between layers of the contact lens material. This will enable the people with diabetes to monitor their glucose levels.

The project’s co-founders are Brian Otis and Babak Parviz. They have updated further details in The Official Google blog.

“Glucose levels change frequently with normal activity like exercising or eating or even sweating. Sudden spikes or precipitous drops are dangerous and not uncommon, requiring round-the-clock monitoring. Although some people wear glucose monitors with a glucose sensor embedded under their skin, all people with diabetes must still prick their finger and test drops of blood throughout the day. It’s disruptive, and it’s painful. And, as a result, many people with diabetes check their blood glucose less often than they should.”

Image courtesy: The Official Google Blog