An innovative "smart contact lens" has been created by an international team of scientists from India and the UK to screen for eye infections quickly and non-invasively.

The University of Sheffield, the University of Bradford, and the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India believe that the test is an outstanding achievement and a potent tool in the global fight against preventable blindness and might potentially be made available for use at home. Additionally, it will aid in preventing the deaths in developing nations brought on by fungal eye diseases.

Dr. Prashant Garg, Executive Chair of the LV Prasad Eye Institute, said that an early and accurate diagnosis could speed up treatment and prevent vision loss due to these conditions. The method of diagnostics now used is intrusive, time-consuming, and expensive. The development of "smart contact lenses" could be the next major advancement in managing eye infections and preventable blindness.

Determining which bacteria or fungus is present in an eye infection requires an intrusive procedure involving taking an anesthetic and scraping the patients eye. After two days of culture, the sample is examined under a microscope. The new test involves donning the unique lens for an hour, and the findings would be available shortly after. 

Dr. Joey Shepherd, senior lecturer in microbiology at the University of Sheffields School of Clinical Dentistry, stated that this work could save the sight of many people worldwide by quickly and precisely diagnosing the infection in a much more comforting way. Further, the new procedure would also lessen the overuse of antibiotics, which would aid in the effort to combat the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria due to improper usage of these drugs without a thorough diagnosis.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/health-it/india-uk-scientists-develop-smart-contact-lens-to-detect-eye-infections/95930048)