August 14, 2025Open Access

First Design of a Contact Lens for Diagnosis of Dehydration

Key Points

The dehydration contact lens measures sodium and potassium concentrations to enable timely diagnosis and management of dehydration.
Using fluorescent techniques, the lens can continuously monitor ion levels without needing blood draws, which enhances patient comfort and care.
Prototype success could lead to broader applications for real-time health monitoring, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly and children.
This method may reduce reliance on traditional electrolyte panels that are limited by cost and frequency of testing.

Abstract

Dehydration is a serious medical problem for elderly patients and young children. The most widely used diagnostics are measurements of sodium ion (Na+) and potassium ion (K+) in blood serum. Dehydration is difficult to diagnose even by trained health care professionals because the body compensates to maintain the appearance of skin. These measurements required a blood draw because specific tests are generally not available for only Na+ and K+. The blood samples are analyzed by an electrolyte panel (EP) or a basic metabolic panel (BMP). Most hospitals limit EP and BMP to one per day to control costs. More frequent measurements of Na+ and K+ are needed, especially during rehydration. We designed a dehydration contact lens that can provide the Na+ and K+ concentrations as needed or for continuous monitoring. The measurements are obtained from the fluorescent lifetime or wavelength-ratiometric intensities of the Na+- and K+-sensitive fluorophores. The dehydration contact lens does not contain electronic components and are inexpensive to prepare.

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