The Future of Contact Lenses – When Vision Aids Become Smart Sensors, FHNW School of Engineering and Environment

With every seat filled, the audience at the FHNW enjoyed a fascinating glimpse into the future of contact lenses. In his talk “The Future of Contact Lens,” internationally renowned researcher Prof. Lyndon Jones from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, Canada, captivated attendees with visionary insights into the evolution of the tiny yet powerful device on the eye.

This event was kindly supported by the  Association des Optométristes Romands (AOR), Interlens, Organisation für Schweizer Optometrie (OSO), Mediconsult and Sensimed.

Modern contact lenses are rapidly evolving beyond simple vision correction. They can now detect diseases, monitor physiological functions, and deliver medication directly through the tear film.
So-called drug-delivery lenses enable the controlled release of medication over several hours—a major step forward compared to conventional eye drops, which are often flushed away within a few minutes.

New diagnostic applications are also emerging: sensor-containing lenses can measure intraocular pressure, tear composition, and even biomarkers for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and alzheimers. Research projects are exploring how these lenses could help detect systemic diseases early and non-invasively.

One remaining challenge is how to supply electrical energy to the lenses. Innovative approaches, such asultra-thin batteriesthat generate electricity from the chemical composition of tears, demonstrate the potential of sustainable solutions. In parallel,Bluetooth and NFC technologiesare being tested to securely transmit measurement data from the lenses on the eye to recording devices such as smartphones.

Digital technologies are also accelerating innovation. Using 3D printing, researchers can produce personalized lenses tailored precisely to each eye’s anatomy—including those that have embedded drug reservoirs or optical elements. Artificial intelligence is already assisting in the analysis of tear film images and in diagnosing conditions such as dry eye.

The future could go even further: augmented-reality contact lenses may one day project information directly into the wearer’s field of vision—for navigation, training, or even medical education.

In the subsequentpanel discussion, industry expertsSarah Ven (AOR),Seonaid Collins (Optometriezentrum Basel),Daniel Ulrich (J&J Vision),Daniel Roos (Alcon)andPhilippe Seira (FHNW) discussed how innovation and responsibility must go hand in hand.

Whether used totreat eye diseases,monitor health data, or serve as aninterface for augmented reality, the future of contact lenses has already begun.The combination ofmaterials science, electronics, and artificial intelligencepromises to redefine both vision and eye care in the years to come.