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Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a new type of smart contact lenses that can prevent dry eyes. The self-moisturising system, which is described in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies, maintains a layer of fluid between the contact lens and the eye using a novel mechanism.
[...] One of the biggest problems with contact lenses is they can cause "dry eye syndrome" due to reduced blinking and increased moisture evaporation. Dry eye syndrome can lead to corneal wounds and inflammation as well as a feeling of discomfort.
In order to tackle this important problem, the researchers developed a new mechanism that keeps the lens moist. The system uses electroosmotic flow (EOF), which causes liquid to flow when a voltage is applied across a charged surface. In this case, a current applied to a hydrogel causes fluid to flow upwards from the patient's temporary tear reservoir behind the lower eyelid to the surface of the eye.
"This is the first demonstration that EOF in a soft contact lens can keep the lens moist," says Nishizawa.
Journal Reference:
Shinya Kusama, Kaito Sato, Shotaro Yoshida, Matsuhiko Nishizawa. Self‐Moisturizing Smart Contact Lens Employing Electroosmosis. Advanced Materials Technologies, 2019; 5 (1): 1900889 DOI: 10.1002/admt.201900889
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(Score: 4, Informative) by vux984 on Sunday January 26 2020, @08:44PM
a) tons of people aren't candidates for lasik
b) lots of people don't want the risk of surgery, given they have currently healthy eyes and can see with correction. All surgery has risks.
c) and there's an entire specialty contact lens niche for people who've already had lasik and are now dealing with complications and side effects (dry eye is one of the big ones); and the last thing they need is more lasik.