Switzerland researchers develop eye contact lenses having 3x zoom capabilities

Switzerland-based researchers have developed a new type of lenses for the human eye that has zoom properties. The lenses are capable of providing zoomed images of up to three times the original size of the object. After a person wears these lenses, he can control the zoom feature with a mere wink of the eye, developers say. The project is expected to be a therapeutic solution for people suffering from macular degeneration.

The technology appears to be borrowed from some sci-fi Hollywood movie, or a distant endeavor to for bionic eyes, but it is none of that. In fact, it is already a reality, with the prototype already available. The prototype of the project was developed back in 2013. The concept was originally proposed by the Defence Advance Research Projects Agency, and was intended for use on drones. But it has now been customized for suitability for humans. The project is now undertaken by Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, in collaboration with the helm’s Eric Tremblay.

Researchers have found out a way of attaching very small telescopes in lenses so as to provide them enhanced control over their vision. They claim that the wearer of these lenses will be able to leverage the size of the objects they behold and also of the people they see. The lenses are 1.5 mm thick with embedded telescopes to provide ease to the wearer.

The contact lenses are basically aimed to improve the lives of the people who suffer from complete loss of vision or some kind of vision impairment. The technology seeks to benefit over 200 million people suffering from macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration, a condition seen prominently in the older people, causes the inner surface of the eye to lose its capability of receiving light. Because of this, his central vision continues to deteriorate, leading to increased difficulty in various activities such as reading.