Sometimes, it’s wise to read news items in reverse.
by Dan Roberts
The latest magnifying technology, a switchable telescopic contact lens, has been receiving wide media attention this past week. If you read the news from the top down, and you anxiously call your eye care specialist before reading all the way to the bottom, you may get an unwelcome response. To help you avoid disappointment, here is the same information in reverse.
Switchable Telescope Contact Lens Still Under Development
In 2013, Swiss researchers reported the results of their early work on a telescope that can be worn on the eyeball. Their work continues, as they attempt to overcome issues with unsatisfactory image resolution, contrast, and acuity. Another problem is that the device, made from rigid polymer, covers the entire front of the eyeball. This blocks air from reaching the eye, meaning that the telescopic lens can be worn for no longer than 30 minutes at a time. The wearer must also wear 3D-type glasses to make the magnification work, which may, for some, be cosmetically unappealing.
This may hold promise for some people with conditions like macular degeneration, where central vision needs accommodation. It may or may not be an improvement upon currently-used devices such as bioptic telescopes, hand-held miniscopes, and the recently approved implantable miniature telescope. The research is, however, welcome as yet another way to help the visually impaired.