Google’s new smart lens can be implanted in the eye

Google claims to have found a way to replace the lens in the eye with an artificial version, which contains all kinds of smart features. A patent application shows that Google has equipped such a lens with sensors, storage and wireless communication.

The patent application has been filed with the American patent organization USPTO, Forbes discovered. From the accompanying description, it appears that Google plans to inject the smart lens as a kind of liquid, after which it hardens on its own and can act as a kind of artificial lens. This is possible because a flexible polymer has been chosen as the building material. Of course, the natural lens must first be removed before inserting the Google variant. Replacing the lens is not a new procedure, by the way; In the case of cataracts, among other things, the treatment consists of inserting an intraocular artificial lens.

The lens can be adjusted via wireless communication with an external PC, so that part of the vision can be restored in the event of eye diseases, or so is the idea. Built-in sensors can detect how much accommodation power is required. There is a battery for the power supply, which receives its energy via wireless signals. It is still unclear whether testing has already been done on patients.

Google previously demonstrated a lens, but this was a variant that is applied to the eye. The blood sugar level can be determined by analyzing tear fluid, and that should offer a solution for diabetics. Furthermore, Google has built-in a camera on the edges. The fact that Google has now also devised an implantable lens shows that the plans for such products are taken seriously. However, it will probably be years before smart lenses are actually available.