Industry News
Breakthrough Smart Contact Lens Prototype for Ocular Disorders Unveiled
In a landmark achievement, Azalea Vision, a trailblazing startup dedicated to transforming the treatment of ocular disorders, has announced the successful demonstration of the ALMA Lens, marking a significant stride in the development of the Azalea smart contact lens platform.
The ALMA Lens, Azalea's proprietary device, introduces a non-surgical solution for patients grappling with keratoconus, corneal irregularities, photophobia, and presbyopia, addressing a range of challenging ophthalmological conditions.
Andrés Vásquez Quintero, Co-founder and CTO of Azalea Vision, expressed excitement about the pivotal moment, stating, "This test marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of non-invasive treatment options for challenging ophthalmological conditions."
Revolutionary Design for Enhanced Vision
Azalea's ALMA Lens boasts an innovative design featuring an embedded diaphragm with a modulatable aperture to regulate the amount of light entering the eye. The groundbreaking solution integrates liquid-crystal technology, a microchip, an RF antenna, a medical-grade micro-battery, and configurable light control. This user-friendly smart lens enables personalized therapy, significantly improving visual acuity without the need for intraocular surgery.
Targeting Irregular Astigmatism and Beyond
The initial application of Azalea's smart contact lens focuses on addressing irregular astigmatism caused by conditions such as keratoconus. By selectively filtering peripheral light, the ALMA Lens ensures that only focused light reaches the retina.
Professor Dr. Rudy Nuijts, Professor of Medicine and Ophthalmology at University Eye Clinic Maastricht, emphasized the potential impact: "Patients with corneal irregularities could profit from a non-surgical solution that is designed to filter the aberrated light to recuperate their visual acuity and visual quality."
Expanding Applications for Diverse Needs
Beyond addressing irregular astigmatism, Azalea Vision's ALMA Lens holds promise for various applications. Patients with presbyopia, iris disorders, severe light sensitivity due to chronic migraine, or dry eye syndrome could potentially benefit from the technology. The small aperture optics principle of the smart lens may increase depth of focus and correct refractive errors.
Enrique Vega, CEO of Azalea Vision, emphasized the broader potential, stating, "The ALMA Lens prototype’s success showcases our cutting-edge technology and reflects our team’s innovative spirit. Azalea stands at the forefront, ready to secure a dominant role in the field of smart contact lenses. We’re not just developing a new product category in the medical device sector; we’re pioneering a platform with diverse and groundbreaking applications. The future is clear, and Azalea Vision is leading the way."
