Knowing about people’s health
through eyes has always been useful for doctors. Moreover, people often say
that eyes are the window to the soul. It seems that Professor Jin Zhang, from University of Western Ontario, has taken that into account, he
created new contact lenses that might be a release for diabetic patients. The
lenses are made by embedded nano-particles into hydrogel. The great part in
this is that the nano-particles react to the blood found in the tears.
According to the level of sugar in the blood, the lenses change colors, warning
the wearer that his or her levels of glucose have changed.
Thank
to this new device, diabetic people will have the opportunity to avoid the uncomfortable process of self-monitoring and taking blood samples throughout
the day. Regarding this, professor Zhang points out that “There
is a need for a non-invasive measure to detect the levels of glucose, instead
of taking a blood sample,”
Personally, I think that the device is great since it improves people’s
quality of life. The only problem that can come up
with the lenses is the cost. Maybe, people with low incomes will have to wait
for months or even years until the can get their pair of contact lenses.
In
this video you can learn more about contact lenses technology in general. And
from minute 1:44 you will find specific information about this topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK9F221JF48
This is such a great improvement for diabetic people! If we consider the percentage of people who suffer this condition around the World it will be a success. Of course, low-income communities will have to wait for it for a while, but its cost will decrease. Also, it could be the start for new projects using the same technology but with lower costs.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is it could also be useful for undiagnosed people. If all the lens could use this nanotechnology, diabetes would be diagnosed at very early stages.
Diabetes (type 1, 2,and 3) is the 21st century disease, and the process of sel monitoring is quite painful, si the idea of a material which react with the glucose in tears, sweat and salive is great. In "The Panic Room", Jodie Foster's daughter had a watch which warned her when she needed glucose, so I started surfing on the Internet and found this: http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/06/glucowatch-allows-sugar-level-checking-to-be-a-painless-process/ Take a look!.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great creation! I can´t stop thinking of the amount of possibilities that arise with it. For example, what if these nano-particles can also be used for measuring other factors different from the sugar in the blood, such as red and white cells or platelets, etc... Lots of diseases could be prevented! I hope that the process of creating this contact lenses is not too expensive, so the lenses can be sold cheaper, but I don´t think the process is cheap though. :/ Money being a barrier for heath once again! xD
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to read how science can really help improving your life whenever a disease stops you from enjoying it as you would like to.
ReplyDeleteThis advance will probably benefit millions of diabetic people. Unfortunately, as you have said, money is a huge barrier that does not let you reach such a major creation. Although, in some years, this treatment may allow many people to be less dependent of taking insulin very single day of their lives.
Anyway, when I have the opportunity to read an article saying that diabetes has finally a cure, I will be such a happy person. I know, from a very close relative that this disease is extremely dangerous at the moment doctors detects it. Maybe you didn’t eat so much sugar but this will never let you eat the same levels of glucose again, and if you dare doing it you will have to pay a high prize for it.
Having diabetic commas for body descompensation are very harmful and decrease more and more your life. Maybe I am being very extremist but this is what diabetes may produce if the treatment is not follow step by step. This illness should be taken as a friend, otherwise could be your enemy for the rest of your life.