EMPOWERING
“The eyes are windows into our
overall health,” noted Sales adding
wearable technology is an important direction for eyewear.
“By empowering individuals with
wearable technology, like a pair of
smart frames, we could move from
a model of health insurance to
health assurance.”
Eye exams provide the only noninvasive view of blood vessels and
the optic nerve. As a result, eye
doctors can detect early signs of
chronic diseases such as diabetes,
high blood pressure and high
cholesterol before any other
healthcare provider.
“At VSP, we’re excited about what’s
on the horizon for this platform
as it relates to health assurance.
Imagine an enhanced frame with
sensors that can help the wearer
monitor their health in real time
and synch the data with a doctor
for more seamless health management. The possibilities for predictive and preventative care—via the
eyes—are incredible,” said Sales.
Google isn’t the only company
that sees a future in digital contact
lenses. Swiss company, Sensimed
AG, has developed a contact
lens-based solution to measure
the intraocular pressure that
results from the liquid buildup
in the eyes of glaucoma patients,
while Innovega has developed
lenses that interact with full HD
(high definition) glasses.
>>>> THE FUTURE
It’s hard to say exactly what exactly will be
possible for the future capabilities of smart
eyewear and digital contact lenses.
However, “by understanding the types of
diseases that can be detected through the eyes
today, it’s plausible to imagine a future where
smart eyewear could monitor things like hypertension and cholesterol; track glucose levels;
or even watch for early onset of Alzheimer’s,”
said Sales.
He added that, “On a more basic level, an
enhanced frame could help the wearer track
their steps and keep tabs on posture and gait.
Another scenario could be that of a post-op
heart surgery patient. If the patient and their
doctor could monitor cardiovascular changes
in real time through a wearable device, rather
than via weekly or monthly checkups, this
could free up the patient and the healthcare
systems as a whole to manage care to
others in need.”
Optical Prism | November-December 2014 31