For the first time in the Laser and Plasma Research Institute of SBU, biocompatible and flexible plasmonic contact lenses based on the transparent polymer of polydimethylsiloxane have been produced and tested for color correction. These plasmonic lenses are produced with a low cost and simple method based on soft nanolithography technique.
High biocompatibility, a plasmonic response proportional to the red-green color blindness ambiguity interval (deuteranomaly), and easy and low cost production are among the advantages of contact lenses.
Polydimethylsiloxane is a transparent, non-toxic, flexible and biocompatible material that is a good choice for biological applications. In addition, the stability test of plasmonic lenses produced in ocular tear simulator solution (phosphate buffer saline solution) was performed and the lenses showed excellent stability in phosphate buffer solution. Due to their biocompatibility, the lenses produced can be useful to help patients with color blindness.
Color blindness is a type of eye disorder that prevents patients from correctly recognizing colors. Patients with color blindness are unable to distinguish color differences in public places or the media, and have difficulty in daily life and the workplace. No definitive cure for color blindness has been found so far. However, research has been done to increase color perception in color-blind patients. Color blindness correction techniques that have been studied so far include gene therapy, color blindness glasses, lenses, optoelectronic glasses, and advanced capabilities developed on smartphones and computers. Among the color blindness correction methods, contact lenses and glasses have been widely considered by color-blind patients.