24-Hour Monitoring of Intraocular Pressure Fluctuations Using a Contact Lens Sensor: Diagnostic Performance for Glaucoma Progression

A first-in-human pilot study of a novel electrically-passive metamaterial-inspired resonator-based ocular sensor embedded contact lens monitoring intraocular pressure fluctuations

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness with no cure, but early treatment and effective monitoring can often slow the progression of the disease. Monitoring of glaucoma is based on the measurement of intra-ocular pressure (IOP) that is a physiological parameter related to the mechanical state and parameters of the eye. Conventionally, diagnosing and assessing the progression of glaucoma is based on the method of measuring IOP discretely at clinics. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of continuously monitoring IOP for 24 h to elucidate the effect of circadian rhythm. In this work, a metamaterial-inspired electrically-passive sensor-embedded contact lens is presented to monitor the IOP fluctuations based on a first-in-human pilot study. The sensor inside the contact lens is an electrically passive, metamaterial-based resonator that can be measured using a wearable antenna patch. The system has been tested with six healthy volunteers during an experiment to induce deliberate IOP changes via water-loading and placing the individuals in supine position using a recliner seat. The initial data compared with tonometer measurements suggest that the system can be used to assess the variation of IOP continuously.

Advancements in Wearable and Implantable Intraocular Pressure Biosensors for Ophthalmology: A Comprehensive Review

Glaucoma, marked by its intricate association with intraocular pressure (IOP), stands as a predominant cause of non-reversible vision loss. In this review, the physiological relevance of IOP is detailed, alongside its potential pathological consequences. The review further delves into innovative engineering solutions for IOP monitoring, highlighting the latest advancements in wearable and implantable sensors and their potential in enhancing glaucoma management. These technological innovations are interwoven with clinical practice, underscoring their real-world applications, patient-centered strategies, and the prospects for future development in IOP control. By synthesizing theoretical concepts, technological innovations, and practical clinical insights, this review contributes a cohesive and comprehensive perspective on the IOP biosensor's role in glaucoma, serving as a reference for ophthalmological researchers, clinicians, and professionals.

Development of corneal contact lens materials and current clinical application of contact lenses: A review

Unlike conventional glasses, corneal contact lenses (CLs) can directly contact the surface of the tear film through the application of biopolymer materials, to achieve therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Since the advent of polymethylmethacrylate, a material that has gained widespread use and attention, statistically, there are now more than 150 × 106 people around the world who wear corneal contact lenses. However, the associated complications caused by the interaction of contact lenses with the ocular surface, tear film, endogenous and environmental microorganisms, and components of the solution affect nearly one-third of the wearer population. The application of corneal contact lenses in correcting vision and myopia control has been widely recognized. With the development of related materials, corneal contact lenses are applied to the treatment of ocular surface diseases, including corneal bandage lenses, drug-loaded corneal contact lenses, biosensors, and other new products, while minimizing the side effects associated with CL wear. This paper summarized the development history and material properties of CLs, focused on the current main clinical applications and mechanisms, as well as clarified the possible complications in wearing therapeutic contact lenses and the direction for improvement in the future.

Recently Approved Drugs for Lowering and Controlling Intraocular Pressure to Reduce Vision Loss in Ocular Hypertensive and Glaucoma Patients

Serious vision loss occurs in patients affected by chronically raised intraocular pressure (IOP), a characteristic of many forms of glaucoma where damage to the optic nerve components causes progressive degeneration of retinal and brain neurons involved in visual perception. While many risk factors abound and have been validated for this glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON), the major one is ocular hypertension (OHT), which results from the accumulation of excess aqueous humor (AQH) fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye. Millions around the world suffer from this asymptomatic and progressive degenerative eye disease. Since clinical evidence has revealed a strong correlation between the reduction in elevated IOP/OHT and GON progression, many drugs, devices, and surgical techniques have been developed to lower and control IOP. The constant quest for new pharmaceuticals and other modalities with superior therapeutic indices has recently yielded health authority-approved novel drugs with unique pharmacological signatures and mechanism(s) of action and AQH drainage microdevices for effectively and durably treating OHT. A unique nitric oxide-donating conjugate of latanoprost, an FP-receptor prostaglandin (PG; latanoprostene bunod), new rho kinase inhibitors (ripasudil; netarsudil), a novel non-PG EP2-receptor-selective agonist (omidenepag isopropyl), and a form of FP-receptor PG in a slow-release intracameral implant (Durysta) represent the additions to the pharmaceutical toolchest to mitigate the ravages of OHT. Despite these advances, early diagnosis of OHT and glaucoma still lags behind and would benefit from further concerted effort and attention.