Alcon, Google enter into agreement for smart lens technology

Alcon has entered into an agreement with a division of Google to in-license its smart lens technology for all ocular medical uses, according to an Alcon press release.

Perspective from John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS

The company stated that the transaction will remain subject to anti-trust approvals. The collaboration between Google and Alcon will allow for the development of a smart lens that has the potential to address ocular conditions, according to the release.

The smart lens technology involves non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniaturized electronics embedded within contact lenses. The companies will collaborate to develop a smart lens, which will monitor glucose levels, helping patients with diabetes manage their disease, as well as help patients with presbyopia correct accommodative vision to help restore the eye’s natural autofocus on near objects.

Perspective

John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS

Alcon’s proposed partnership with Google to develop “smart” contact lenses is exciting because it makes a reality of the much-discussed future of noninvasive monitoring devices for glucose and other conditions in which tear chemistry is affected. Approaching presbyopia correction through smart lenses would give us just one more valuable method to help this growing group of patients.

This corporate collaboration is just an entry point for this powerhouse pair of companies — each leading its field — to bring disruptive innovation to our specialty. What’s next? A heads-up video display mounted inside a contact lens? I am excited to find out.

John A. Hovanesian, MD, FACS

OSN Cataract Surgery Section Editor

Disclosures: Hovanesian is a consultant to Alcon and a Google stockholder.