Japanese experts have created a fluid-releasing lens that can relieve dry eyes from just the weight of the eyelids. Photo: Courtesy of Sci-Tech Daily
Tokyo: Some people have abnormally dry eyes that require repeated eye drops. Under the same need, Japanese experts have developed self-moisturizing contact lenses.
The contact lens developed by the Tirasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) is named Clyde, which stands for ‘Contact Lens Induced Dry Eye’. When the eyelid closes, it releases moisture and keeps the eye moist. It should be noted that dry eye can cause eye pain, loss of vision and irritation etc.
Dry eye is especially common among contact lens wearers and affects millions of people worldwide. About 140 million people worldwide wear contact lenses, and 30 to 50 percent of them suffer from some degree of visual acuity. Traditional treatments include eye gels and drops. However, massaging the glands that produce moisture in the eyes also helps.
The lenses of Japanese specialists have microscopic channels through which liquid flows to keep the eye constantly moist. As soon as the patient feels dry eyes, he closes his eyes and applies slight pressure on the lens and fluid starts to drain from the lens. Thus no external device, battery or button is required.
The lens is made of silicone polymer which makes it curved which makes it a little easier to put on and take off. It has very fine channels through which the fluid flows to the eyes and removes dryness. To test it, experts have created artificial eyes and mechanical eyelashes, and it has met all the criteria in the experiments.
It was created by Ali Khadim Hussaini, who hopes that the lens he developed can relieve a large population of the world from chronic pain.
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