Google has shed some light on one of their latest endeavors and this one looks to help the one in every 19 people in this world that has diabetes. Uncontrolled blood sugar puts people at risk for a range of dangerous complications, some short-term and others longer term, including damage to the eyes, kidneys and heart. Not only do you have to keep your sugar levels under control but the process to monitor your glucose level is disruptive and painful.
Google is now testing a smart contact lens that’s built to measure glucose levels in tears using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. They’re testing prototypes that can generate a reading once per second and even looking into integrating tiny LED lights that could light up to indicate that glucose levels have crossed above or below certain thresholds.
Multiple clinical research studies have been completed so this smart contact lens is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. Talks with the FDA are ongoing and they’re exploring partners that can leverage this technology for a smart contact lens and develop apps that would make the measurements available to the wearer and their doctor.
