by Joel Harrison
8. April 2011 12:56
Scientists are announcing the development of contact lenses with pressure sensors, which could facilitate the management of glaucoma.
According to a researcher from Hamilton Glaucoma Center at the University of California, Dr Kaweh Mansouri, patients with glaucoma (or suspected of suffering from glaucoma) require constant intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements, but – because of technical and organisational reasons – the state of the condition has so far been evaluated on the basis of single measurements.
The new technology allows ophthalmologists to monitor IOP continuously for 24 hours. The patient does not have to stay at hospital, and the new contact lenses measure IOP while he or she is involved in his/her normal, everyday activities, thus making the measurements even more credible and helpful. Dr Mansuri believes that the use of these contact lenses will also result in making glaucoma treatment better adapted to the individual needs of each patient, which entails improved effectiveness and lower risk of vision loss.
Glaucoma is diagnosed in 5% of individuals over the age of 65 and decreasing IOP is the only way to treat it. This is of utmost importance, since any damage to the optic nerve caused by the condition is irreversible.
0f0c5be3-4cc5-4c04-b2a5-f7e2e8d27296|0|.0
Tags: Scientists, development, contact lenses, glaucoma, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, University of California, Dr Kaweh Mansouri, intraocular pressure measurements, IOP, ophthalmologists, patient
Advice | Contact Lens | Customer Service | Health | News | Research
Subscribe