Page 26 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

A SMART EYE MASK THAT TRACKS undermined, and with an ageing

MUSCLE MOVEMENTS population, this is an increasingly
important issue. To try to stem or
reverse this decline, we sought to
Researchers from the University to one’s eye and touch. reboot the retina’s ageing cells with
of Massachusetts Amherst have The team then combined these short bursts of longwave light.”
developed smart eyewear to track hydrogel electrodes with a pulse The study was done on 24 people
eye movement and cardiac data sensor to create an eye mask that (12 male, 12 female), aged between
for physiological and psychological can track eye movements and collect 28 and 72, who had no ocular disease.
studies. The eyewear, known as cardiac signals from the artery
Chesma, integrates the first-of-its- located at the brow bone. “Our team Prior to the study, the participants’
kind washable hydrogel electrodes was able to really address that core eyes were tested for the sensitivity of
with a pulse sensor, and provides problem to create a garment that their rods and cones. Rod sensitivity
accurate measurements in an you would be willing to wear and was measured in dark-adapted
everyday environment without give you clinically accurate results eyes (with pupils dilated) by asking
compromising users’ comfort. when you use it,” says Andrew. The participants to detect dim light
signals in the dark, and cone function
As per the report appearing in the research team, composed of Iranian, was tested by subjects identifying
journal Matter, current technology Indian American, Armenian-Greek, coloured letters that had very low
for eye movement tracking relies and Chinese American scientists contrast and appeared increasingly
on electrooculography (EOG), a named the eyewear Chesma, a word blurred.
technique designed over 50 years meaning eyeglasses or eyes in many
ago to measure the eye’s electrical of their languages. All the subjects were then given
potential changes. “The problem The hydrogel electrodes used in a small LED torch to take home and
is that you have to stick those Chesma are extremely durable and were asked to look into its deep red
adhesive electrodes on your face,” can resist long-term build-up from 670nm light beam for three minutes
says senior author Trisha L. Andrew makeup, pollution, and skin waste a day for two weeks. They were
of the University of Massachusetts that may fault the electrodes, as then re-tested for their rod and cone
Amherst. well as withstand 15 laundry cycles. sensitivity
Smart wearables need to Additionally, Chesma’s signal does The study results showed that
provide both accuracy and comfort. not display any degradation after the 670nm light had no impact in
This posed a real challenge but 6 hours of continuous use without younger individuals, but in those
Andrew and her colleagues rehydrating the hydrogel, suggesting around 40 years and over, major
succeeded in developing a novel that it could be worn for long periods progress was recorded. Cone
hydrogel electrode by growing of time. In fact, the hydrogel retains colour contrast sensitivity was also
polymers on fabrics. Reaching water so well that it takes almost 40 improved by up to 20% in some
the nooks and cranny of the fiber hours to dry out completely — and people aged around 40 and over in
pattern, the hydrogel polymer even if it does, Andrew says “simply the blue part of the colour spectrum.
bonds to and covers the fabric’s put a couple of drops of water on it,
topology, resulting in a mechanically let it sit for about 30 seconds, and it Professor Jeffery said: “Our
stable coating that is imperceptible becomes like gelatin once more.” study shows that it is possible to
significantly improve vision that
has declined in aged individuals
DECLINING EYESIGHT AND RED using simple brief exposures to

LIGHT STUDY light wavelengths that recharge the
energy system that has declined
in the retina cells, rather like re-
A first-of-its-kind study Lead author, Professor charging a battery.
conducted by University College Glen Jeffery (UCL Institute of “The technology is simple and
Ophthalmology) said: “As you
London (UCL) divulges that age your visual system declines very safe, using a deep red light of a
staring at a deep red light for three significantly, particularly once over specific wavelength that is absorbed
minutes in a day can help improve 40. Your retinal sensitivity and your by mitochondria in the retina that
declining eyesight. colour vision are both gradually supply energy for cellular function.

| SEPT-OCT 2020 | 22 OPTOMETRY NEWS

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