An eye on the future

eyeball.jpgWhat do you think about getting glucose readings from our eyeballs? It appears that tears are another way – besides blood and interstitial fluid – to check glucose levels. Since people can’t necessarily cry on demand, some researchers have figured out a way to rig up a contact lens that measures glucose. Amazing. Here’s a video report on it.

First of all, I think it’s pretty cool that Google is using its resources to support innovative research. Second, I love that scientists are figuring out ways to link existing technology with new ideas and coming up with potentially useful tools.

While these contacts are, as usual, “about five years away,” here’s the problem for me, personally: I don’t do contacts! I don’t do eyeballs in general, but contacts are a no-go for me. I made myself learn how to wear contacts in the few months leading up to our wedding. I wore them for our wedding and for at least one major event a few months later, and then never again. I am good with glasses, folks. I am not the slightest bit interested in Lasik surgery to correct my vision. I don’t want anyone or anything touching my eyeballs, as weird as that may seem.

So while I am impressed with these glucose measuring contacts, I will not be running out to buy a pair (or one, or however many we would wear). I will wait for another innovation that doesn’t involve eyeballs. Sweat? Hair? It’ll happen. I’ll be patient.

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