Scientists have developed a new technology that allows electronic
messages sent from mobile phones to be directly projected on to contact
lens placed in the recipient's eyes.
The technology, developed by
Belgian researchers, allows information such as text messages from a
mobile phone to the contact lenses.
Ghent University's centre of
micro-systems technology developed the spherical curved LCD display
which can be embedded in contact lenses and handle projected images
using wireless technology, 'The Telegraph' reported.
"Now that we
have established the basic technology, we can start working towards real
applications, possibly available in only a few years," said Professor
Herbert De Smet.
The new technology allows the whole curved
surface of the lens to be used, unlike previous contact lens displays,
which are limited to a few small pixels to make up an image.
One application suggested by the researchers is a "one pixel, fully covered contact lens acting as adaptable sunglasses".
"This
is not science fiction," said De Smet, the chief researcher on the
project, adding commercial applications for the lenses will be available
within five years.
"This will never replace the cinema screen for
films. But for specific applications it may be interesting to show
images such as road directions or projecting text messages from our
smart phones straight to our eye," said De Smet.
The innovation is the first step towards "fully pixelated contact lens displays" with the same detail as a television screen.
The
lenses could also be used for medical purposes, for example to control
the light transmission toward the eye's retina in case of a damaged
iris, the report said.
For cosmetic purposes, the lens could be
used to provide the iris of the eye a tunable colour, allowing the user
to change it to suit their mood.