OLED Contact Lens Breakthrough Promises Non-Invasive Eye Disease Monitoring (Image supported by ChatGPT)
DAEJEON, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — A team of South Korean researchers has unveiled a groundbreaking smart contact lens capable of performing retinal diagnostics, a significant step in the evolution of eye health technology.
The collaborative effort, led by Professor Yoo Seung-hyeop of KAIST, Professor Woo Se-jun from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Professor Han Se-kwang from POSTECH, PHI Biomed, and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), has resulted in the development of a wireless, organic light-emitting diode (OLED)-based contact lens for retinal diagnostics.
The new technology leverages an OLED-integrated electrode embedded in the contact lens, which allows for the measurement of retinal function through a diagnostic method known as Electroretinography (ERG). ERG is commonly used to assess hereditary retinal diseases and monitor retinal function deterioration.
Traditionally, ERG tests require patients to sit in a dark room and use bulky equipment, limiting flexibility and accessibility.
The newly developed contact lens eliminates the need for large light sources by using flexible OLEDs that are only 12.5 micrometers thick—about one-sixth the width of a human hair.
Conceptual diagram of the wireless OLED-integrated contact lens. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
These lenses feature wireless power reception antennas and control chips, enabling real-time, precise retinal diagnostics without the discomfort of traditional setups.
Compared to conventional contact lenses using rigid light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which often face issues like heat buildup due to their focused light emission, OLEDs are more efficient. They provide a wide and uniform light spread, which is critical for generating accurate retinal responses under lower brightness conditions.
The research team successfully demonstrated that the OLED-based lenses could produce reliable ERG signals at a brightness level of just 126 nits, comparable to traditional commercial light sources.
Retinal electrophysiological testing via wireless OLED contact lens technology. (Image courtesy of KAIST)
Animal trials showed that the contact lens, worn by rabbits, did not cause heat damage to the cornea, with the lens surface temperature staying below 27°C. The lens also maintained its light-emitting performance in hot and humid conditions, suggesting its potential for real-world clinical applications.
Professor Yoo Seung-hyeop expressed optimism that the development could pave the way for expanding smart contact lens technology into broader diagnostic and therapeutic platforms, contributing to the growth of digital healthcare.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
