Smart Contacts and AR Glasses Aim to Help Visually Impaired

Innovega is working to develop a smart contact lens that can help the visually impaired in their daily life.

Innovega is working to develop a smart contact lens and eyewear that can make life easier for the visually impaired. (Image courtesy of Innovega.)

Innovega is working to develop a smart contact lens and eyewear that can make life easier for the visually impaired. (Image courtesy of Innovega.)

Innovega, a developer of AR/VR technology and wearables, is working on a device capable of providing the visually impaired with improved sight and the ability to complete tasks like reading and using a smart phone. Working in tandem with Ohio State University, Innovega has been studying the use of their eMacula system with individuals whose vision cannot be corrected by traditional contact lenses or prescription glasses.

The eMacula system pairs smart contact lenses with AR eyewear. The company touts their technology as a potential game changer in the way that media, mixed reality and entertainment is consumed—effectively replacing the smart phone screen with a lightweight device that puts the action right in front of the eye and reduces eyestrain without affecting overall view of the user’s surroundings.

For the visually impaired, the eMacula system could offer potential for an improved life. Innovega worked with Ohio State to study their device with nine testers from the university’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Service. The smart contact lens and eyewear works to improve vision with magnification and higher resolution images.

“The results of the evaluation of the Innovega contact lens-enabled wearable display system support the potential to provide the wide field of view required when magnifying content along with high resolution and control of brightness and contrast for visually impaired users,” said Dr. Bradley Dougherty, co-investigator and Associate Professor at the Ohio State University College of Optometry.

The test also evaluated the comfort of the eyewear and contact lenses, with the participants scoring them a 7.1 out of 10. As part of their long-term vision, Innovega hopes to develop a disposable lens that can be changed out monthly. If the technology proves successful and production can be scaled up, this could prove to be a huge benefit to the visually impaired who cannot use traditional contact lenses.

Innovega co-founder and executive Dr. Jerry Legerton felt the results of the study were extremely positive.

“We are encouraged by the results of this study and we received valuable feedback for further refinements of image processing and improvements in camera specifications,” Legerton said. “We look forward to the next clinical evaluation with visually impaired subjects following advancing our clinical trials for regulatory clearance of the iOptik contact lenses with the fully sighted.”

There is a massive addressable market for providing solutions like the eMacula for the visually-impaired community. Innovega is still in the very early stages of developing their technology and bringing it to mass production. This study shows that the system can accomplish its intended goal of helping the visually impaired in their daily life in an unobtrusive way—that’s a big selling point. For Innovega to reach widespread adoption of their smart contact lenses and eyewear, the devices need to be comfortable and easy to use. Based on the results of this initial study, the company is well on its way to reaching its goal of improving the way everyone interacts and lives in an increasingly digital world.