Google contact lens 'could end blood testing for diabetics'

Google has unveiled a prototype contact lens that monitors glucose levels in tears and could one day replace traditional finger prick blood tests undertaken by diabetics.

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Google 'Smart' lenses look and feel like regular contacts

The Google 'Smart' contact lens that monitors glucose levels in tears "looks and feels" like ordinary soft contact lenses, said lead researcher Brian Otis.

Brian Otis, one of the lead researchers on the Google 'Smart' contact lens. Credit: APTN

"This prototype looks and feels like a regular soft contact lens but inside it we have a tiny chip and a miniaturised glucose sensor that allows us to continually monitor tear glucose levels," he said.

"We've had to work really hard to develop tiny low-power electronics that operate on very low levels of energy and really small glucose sensors."

Google reveals contact lens for people with diabetes

Google has unveiled a protype contact lens that monitors glucose levels in tears.

Google's protoype contact lens that monitors glucose levels. Credit: APTN

The technology giant hopes that the lens could one day replace traditional finger jab tests that some people with diabetes have to endure up to 10 times a day to test their blood sugar.

The lenses, which use a minuscule glucose sensor and a wireless transmitter, will take at least five years to reach consumers, Google says.

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