Novartis and Google are working together to develop a smart contact lens designed to monitor blood-glucose levels while also correcting vision. Currently individuals have to rely on a finger prick test to monitor blood-glucose levels. The smart lens method is more accurate and less invasive. The lens is equipped with a tiny sensor that will analyze the amount of glucose in tears and then relay this information through an antenna. It also has the ability to wirelessly transmit the information to an app on a mobile device. Tears also contain a biomarker, lacryglobin, for breast, colon, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Measuring the lacryglobin levels could help to monitor patients in remission. Ultimately, this type of technology could help individuals better manage their own health and prevent disease through early detection.
(Source: WSJ)
