The earlier the disease can be detected, the greater the chances of preventing its development and reducing its complications. The same applies to Alzheimer’s disease, where it has been proven that an experimental lens implant can help monitor and detect changes that occur in the early stages of the disease, according to the New Atlas website, citing the journal Bioactive Materials.
Developed by a team of scientists at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), the clear, biocompatible polymer lens is placed behind the cornea so that it does not interfere with the patient’s vision.
Formation of a neutral style
A grid-like array of tiny parallel lines is etched directly into the surface of the innovative lens, which has a layer of transparent hydrogel over the grid, along with a set of parallel slits running through it. Under normal conditions, the lines and cracks are aligned in such a way that they form a neutral pattern.
Early detection technology
If trace amounts of chemicals associated with Alzheimer’s disease appear in the ocular fluid, they cause the hydrogel to contact, so the distances between the slits will change. The slits will then merge with the base lines on the lens itself and will produce what is known as a ‘moire’ pattern. This pattern is similar to the flashing pattern, which is sometimes seen on television when finely striped clothing or other striped items are shown.
Regular periodic examination
The ripple pattern in the lens will not be visible to the patient, but it can be detected with a microscope placed over their eyes as part of a regular check-up, says researcher Jaejoong Lee at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, noting that the technology has already been tested on the eyes of laboratory animals.