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HomeGlossaryHow Contact Lenses Have Evolved From Vision Correction to Smart Tools

How Contact Lenses Have Evolved From Vision Correction to Smart Tools

Contact lenses have come a long way since their inception. Originally designed solely for vision correction, advancements in technology have transformed them into multifunctional devices that offer far more than improved sight. This progress has culminated in a billion-dollar market. According to Transparency Market Research, the contact and intraocular lens market is projected to grow at a steady compound annual growth rate of 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 and is anticipated to reach $22.9 billion by 2034.

Today, contact lenses are on the cutting edge of innovation, providing users with a range of features that enhance their daily lives. In this article, we'll explore the evolution of contact lenses from simple vision correction aids to sophisticated smart tools.

Advancements in contact lens technology

The idea for contact lenses has existed since the 1500s, thanks to Leonardo da Vinci’s suggestion of altering the human eye by placing the cornea directly in contact with water. However, it wasn’t until 1971, when eye care giant Bausch + Lomb introduced the first mass-produced soft contacts to the US market, that contacts were more widely adopted. Still considered a novel device, these contact lenses were made from hydrogel material that allowed more oxygen to reach the cornea. Fifty years on, soft contact lenses continue to be used by millions of people.

The demand for contact lenses as a primary vision correction tool has only grown, fueling further advancements in lens materials. Now, there are contacts made of silicone hydrogel, hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylics, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) that improve comfort, durability, and optical clarity, enhancing the overall patient experience. Aside from better materials, the market offers a range of options tailored to various preferences, including daily disposables, extended-wear lenses, and specialized lenses for conditions like astigmatism and presbyopia.

The accessibility of these advanced contact lenses has also improved. No longer confined to brick-and-mortar opticians, consumers can now buy contact lenses online. Established retailer Lenstore, for one, allows customers to easily purchase a variety of lenses such as multifocal, toric, and even colored contacts. This platform delivers affordable contact lenses straight to customers’ doorsteps, making vision correction more convenient than ever. The shift towards online retail has widened access to high-quality eye care products, further enhancing the usability and appeal of contacts.

Contact lenses as smart tools

In recent years, contact lenses have evolved beyond vision correction, incorporating smart technology to offer additional functionalities. Researchers and companies have been developing smart contact lenses that can monitor health conditions and deliver medication.

Scientists from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) developed one of the most promising applications of smart contact lenses. These contacts can capture and detect exosomes from tears, which have the potential to be diagnostic cancer biomarkers. This capability can streamline the cancer screening process, as it’s a diagnostic tool that is simple, fast, cost-effective, and non-invasive.

Smart contact lenses are also being designed to deliver medication directly to the eye. Currently, eyedrops are the most common method of administering ocular medication. Yet, the eye’s physiological and anatomical barriers limit its effectiveness, with only 5% of the medication being absorbed. Drug-eluting contact lenses overcome these barriers, giving the drug more time to reach the target site and increasing bioavailability to 50%. Though some challenges remain before this device reaches the market, it could treat various ocular conditions such as ocular hypertension and cystoid macular edema.

The evolution of contact lenses reflects broader trends in technology and healthcare, where innovation continually pushes the boundaries of what is possible. From improving vision to monitoring health, contact lenses are poised to remain at the forefront of technological advancement, offering benefits outside of traditional vision correction.

This article was written for WHN by RUTH ANN JOHN who is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about health, wellness, and sustainability. When she’s not typing away at her keyboard, you can find her completing an oil painting or doing DIY projects.

As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 

Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. 

Content may be edited for style and length.

References/Sources/Materials provided by:

https://www.openpr.com/news/3573091/contact-and-intraocular-lenses-market-size-to-hit-usd-22-9

https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/EP088594

https://www.lenstore.co.uk/

https://worldhealth.net/news/smart-contact-lenses-cancer-diagnostics-and-screening/

https://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/power-contact-lenses-drug-delivery-eye-and-more

Posted by the WHN News Desk
Posted by the WHN News Deskhttps://www.worldhealth.net/
WorldHealth.net The original website of the A4M. Non-Profit trusted source of non-commercial health information, and the original voice of the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M). To keep receiving the free newsletter opt in.
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