Stretchable nanostructures as optomechanical strain sensors for ophthalmic applications

Rosalia Moreddu*, Nasim Mahmoodi, Panagiotis Kassanos, Daniele Vigolo, Paula M. Mendes, Ali K. Yetisen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The intraocular pressure (IOP) is a physiological parameter that plays a crucial role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating ocular diseases. For example, lowering the IOP is the primary focus of glaucoma management. However, IOP is a widely varying parameter, and one-off measurements are prompt to errors. Developing portable solutions for continuous monitoring the IOP is a critical goal in ophthalmology. Here, stretchable nanostructures were developed as strain-tunable diffraction gratings and integrated into a contact lens. They exhibited a limit of detection (LOD) <2 mmHg and a linear response in the range of interest (15-35 mmHg). Nanopatterns were characterized under monochromatic laser sources and further integrated into a soft contact lens. A smartphone readout method based on preferentially reflected colors was proposed to pave the way toward smartphone-based ocular health monitoring.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5416-5424
Number of pages9
JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials
Volume3
Issue number11
Early online date7 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
R.M. acknowledges the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham for funding. P.M.M. acknowledges financial support by the ERC (Consolidator Grant 614787). A.K.Y. thanks the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for a New Investigator Award (EP/T013567/1).

Keywords

  • contact lenses
  • diffraction gratings
  • glaucoma
  • intraocular pressure (IOP)
  • nanopillars

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Organic Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stretchable nanostructures as optomechanical strain sensors for ophthalmic applications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this