Article: Smart LED Contact Lenses for Treating Diabetic Retinopathy
Source: Pohang University of Science & Technology (Korea)
Published: February 23, 2022
Diabetic retinopathy is the most frequent complication caused by diabetes and the most common cause of blindness in the working-age population in industrialized nations. In the oxygen-scarce environment of the diabetic retina, aberrant new blood vessels form (neovascularization) in an attempt to bring oxygen to the tissue. Current treatments for proliferative diabetic retinopathy include photocoagulation (which sacrifices some peripheral vision to preserve central vision) and repeat intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) or corticosteroid. A recent line of research is exploring the use of photobiomodulation with low-intensity near-infrared light to bring gentler benefits to tissue injury. Thus far, this research has been conducted in animal and cell culture models. Investigators in South Korea are advancing the delivery of this approach through the design of wireless smart LED contact lenses. They describe the design of the device as "[a] far red/NIR light emitting diode (LED) is connected with an
application-specific integrated circuit chip, wireless power, and
communication systems on a PET film, which is embedded in a silicone
elastomer contact lens by thermal crosslinking."
As a continuation of earlier studies, the authors tested additional settings for the device, in this case having the LED of the contact lens emit 120 µW far red/NIR light to the retina. They report that administration of the far red/NIR light in 15-minute sessions three times a week for eight weeks in a rabbit model statistically significantly reduced retinal vascular hyper-permeability (leaky blood vessels) induced by diabetic retinopathy. As the LED and circuitry generate heat, safety evaluation of corneal damage was also previously assessed. The investigators report no fluorescein staining on corneas that received 40, 80, and 160 µW of light; however, slight green fluorescence was seen at 320 µW. Corneal thickness, a marker of inflammation, did not change, nor did tear volume. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of various biomarkers of diabetic retinopathy—e.g., C3 for inflammation; COX2, ICAM1, and VEGF for angiogenesis; vimentin and GFAP for cellular stress—were also assessed and showed significant reduction in eyes treated with phototherapy. Studies in safety and efficacy continue. The authors state, "Although the intervention mechanism of diabetic retinopathy by using far
red/NIR light requires further research, this study is of great
significance as it demonstrates that smart far red/NIR contact lenses
can prevent diabetic retinopathy."
My rating of this study: ⭐⭐⭐
Lee G, Jeon C, Mok JW, et al.
"Smart Wireless Near-Infrared Light Emitting Contact Lens for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy." Advanced Science. 29 January 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202103254
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