Gold Nanocomposite Contact Lenses for Color Blindness Management

Abstract

Color vision deficiency (CVD) is an ocular congenital disorder that affects 8% of males and 0.5% of females. The most prevalent form of color vision deficiency (color blindness) affects protans and deutans and is more commonly known as “red–green color blindness”. Since there is no cure for this disorder, CVD patients opt for wearables that aid in enhancing their color perception. The most common wearable used by CVD patients is a form of tinted glass/lens. Those glasses filter out the problematic wavelengths (540–580 nm) for the red–green CVD patients using organic dyes. However, few studies have addressed the fabrication of contact lenses for color vision deficiency, and several problems related to their effectiveness and toxicity were reported. In this study, gold nanoparticles are integrated into contact lens material, thus forming nanocomposite contact lenses targeted for red–green CVD application. Three distinct sets of nanoparticles were characterized and incorporated with the hydrogel material of the lenses (pHEMA), and their resulting optical and material properties were assessed. The transmission spectra of the developed nanocomposite lenses were analogous to those of the commercial CVD wearables, and their water retention and wettability capabilities were superior to those in some of the commercially available contact lenses used for cosmetic/vision correction purposes. Hence, this work demonstrates the potential of gold nanocomposite lenses in CVD management and, more generally, color filtering applications.

Silver Nanoparticle‐Loaded Contact Lenses for Blue‐Yellow Color Vision Deficiency

“…Similar observations were previously noted utilizing gold NPs and the same hydrogel. [36] Indeed, the excessive aggregation of the NPs in the samples was also regarded to the increased concentration resulting from NPs' centrifugation. [36] As predicted and shown through their transmission spectra, increasing NPs concentration in both SNP-loaded contact lenses was detrimental in their aggregation state within the lens.…”

“…[36] Indeed, the excessive aggregation of the NPs in the samples was also regarded to the increased concentration resulting from NPs' centrifugation. [36] As predicted and shown through their transmission spectra, increasing NPs concentration in both SNP-loaded contact lenses was detrimental in their aggregation state within the lens. The interparticle coupling effects of the metallic NPs on their optical properties are well explained by Ghosh et al [38] Generally, when NPs aggregate, the conduction electrons in near proximity to each other (responsible for SPR illumination) become delocalized and shared among neighboring NPs; therefore, the energy required to shift the electrons decreases which, in turn, increases the wavelength at which they are activated.…”

Ophthalmic sensing technologies for ocular disease diagnostics

“…Recently, researchers have developed contact lenses that cross-link with selected dyes or nanoparticles to block out the wavelengths (540-580 nm) that create issues for people with red-green CVD. 56,57 Overall, contact lenses involved in continuous tear film sampling, and some functionalized contact lens sensors have many potential applications for disease diagnostics and treatment.…”

Simple Self-Assembly Strategy of Nanospheres on 3D Substrate and Its Application for Enhanced Textured Silicon Solar Cell

“…In this context, there has been a drive for designing and fabricating nanostructures on 3D surfaces with desired control. On planar substrates or interfaces, both top-down and bottom-up self-assembly strategies enable precise control over distribution density and geometrical shapes [ 8 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. Although substantial advances have been made, control over nanofabrication on complex 3D surfaces is still very challenging [ 7 ].…”