New Scientist: Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness, occurs when fluid builds up in the eye and damages the optic nerve. To monitor intraocular pressure, researchers have developed a tiny sensor that can be embedded into a synthetic lens. The sensor employs a fluid column, whose rise and fall can be read with a smartphone fitted with an optical adapter. Such constant monitoring would allow for better treatment of the disease, which involves the prescription of pharmaceuticals to lower the fluid pressure. Although the current device is limited to cataract patients who must have their natural lenses replaced anyway, the researchers are working on a standalone sensor that could find wider use.
