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Scientists Develop Night Vision Contact Lenses that Work Even with Closed Eyes

Science and Technology

Business Honor
23 May, 2025

Researchers created night vision contact lenses using safe polymers and nanoparticles, allowing clear infrared vision even with closed eyes.

The scientists of the University of Science and Technology, China, have created new night vision contact lenses, where light is converted to wavelength, using nanoparticles; it also works when the eyes are closed.

The new type of lenses is made by combining polymers, which are non-toxic elements commonly used in contact lenses, with the flexible nanoparticles. To know how it works, this was tried on both mice and humans.

During the research, mice were given a choice between a dark box and one that was illuminated by infrared light. The mice without the lenses did not show any preference, whereas the mice using contact lenses showed that they were able to see the infrared wavelengths as they chose the dark box. In the case of humans, the participants wearing infrared contact lenses were able to recognize flashing messages and see the direction of incoming infrared light.

According to Mr. Xue, a neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China, the subjects with the lens on can clearly see the infrared light wavering. Whereas the ones without it cannot, and Xue stated that they have also discovered that the ones who use the contact lens while their eyes are closed will also be able to waver information.

At the moment, contact lens users can only view radiation projected from an LED light source, and several research projects are being conducted to help colorblind people by altering nanoparticles so different light wavelengths are converted to different colors, with future applications in healthcare and biopharmaceutical innovations