Smart Lens, Sharp Signal

A flexible contact lens platform could bring continuous ocular oximetry closer to the clinic, says study

August 25, 2026
3 min

The Ophthalmologist

Overview

A novel smart contact lens developed by Tianjin University enables non-invasive monitoring of ocular blood oxygen saturation. The device utilizes a plasmonic nano-confinement nanowire photodetector to adapt pulse oximetry principles for the ocular region, achieving high accuracy in initial tests.

Background

Oxygen saturation measurement at the eye is not routine. Current methods for ocular oxygen measurement are cumbersome and not suitable for continuous monitoring. The development of a smart contact lens could facilitate monitoring of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusion.

Data Highlights

The smart lens achieved approximately 99% average agreement with a commercial finger-clip oximeter across the tested SpO range. The PNC nanowire architecture improved test accuracy by 35% compared to sensors without the nanowire structure.

Key Findings

The smart lens integrates a flexible plasmonic nano-confinement nanowire photodetector for oxygen saturation monitoring.
It maintains over 90% transmittance across a spectral range of 300–900 nm.
The device retained more than 96% of its photocurrent after 1,000 bending cycles.
Initial testing showed close correlation with peripheral oximeter readings under varying oxygen conditions.
No significant irritation or tissue damage was observed in anesthetized rabbits during testing.