Innovative Wireless OLED Contact Lens Revolutionizes Retinal Diagnostics

Researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in ophthalmic diagnostics by developing the world's first wireless, ultrathin OLED contact lens for retinal assessment. This innovative device aims to replace traditional stationary and cumbersome ERG (electroretinography) systems, which typically require large equipment, dark rooms, and patient stillness, posing significant limitations in clinical settings.

The newly developed contact lens incorporates an ultrathin, flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) film approximately 12.5 micrometers thick—about six to eight times thinner than a human hair—embedded into a contact lens. This tiny yet powerful light source can induce retinal responses, enabling ERG measurements simply by wearing the lens. Equipped with a wireless power receiving antenna and a control chip, the system operates independently, using wireless power transfer at a resonant frequency of 433 MHz. This allows for a portable and user-friendly diagnostic process, further supported by a wireless controller embedded in a sleep mask that can connect to a smartphone.

Unlike conventional inorganic LEDs used in smart contact lenses, which tend to generate excessive heat due to point-source emission, OLEDs provide a diffuse, areal light source that safely stimulates the retina even under low luminance (around 126 nits). Animal testing demonstrated that the temperature of a rabbit's eye remained below 27°C when using the OLED contact lens, preventing heat damage and proving its safety for clinical application. The device maintained stable performance in humid environments as well.

This novel system not only simplifies retinal diagnostics by eliminating bulky equipment and the need for patient stillness but also extends the potential for on-eye optical diagnostics and phototherapies, potentially contributing to personalized eye health monitoring and treatment. The research, published in ACS Nano, marks a significant milestone toward integrating smart, wearable medical devices into routine ophthalmic practices.

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