6 Startups Making Smart Contact Lenses the Future of Health Tracking

Smart contact lenses are no longer just a science‑fiction trope. Over the past decade, engineers have steadily miniaturised sensors and wireless circuits so that they can fit into a soft contact lens without affecting its transparency or comfort. The result is a new class of wearable devices that can continuously monitor vital signs by analysing tear fluid, measuring changes in the cornea and even serving as a gateway to augmented reality. Tears contain dozens of biomarkers – glucose, cortisol, electrolytes and proteins – and fluctuations in the thickness or curvature of the cornea reflect intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular blood flow. Because the eye offers ready access to these signals, smart contact lenses have become an attractive platform for non‑invasive health tracking. In this article we explore six startups pushing the envelope, from AI‑powered lenses that measure stress and blood sugar to devices that monitor glaucoma risk, adjust light sensitivity and transmit real‑time data to a smartphone. We also examine the challenges and future applications of these high‑tech health trackers.

Why turn contact lenses into health trackers?

Unlike blood draws or finger‑stick tests, smart contact lenses use the natural tear film to gather health information continuously and painlessly. Tears exchange metabolites with blood through the conjunctiva and cornea, allowing biochemical sensors to detect changes in glucose, hormones or vitamins. Mechanical sensors embedded in the soft lens material can measure minute changes in the cornea or sclera as intraocular pressure fluctuates – a key indicator of glaucoma risk. Flexible circuits and antennas then wirelessly transmit the data to a smartphone or recording device. Several research teams have demonstrated glucose‑sensing lenses using enzymatic or electrochemical sensors, while others have designed strain‑gauge circuits capable of reading IOP throughout the day. The promise of smart lenses is that they can reveal early warnings of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension or hormonal imbalance before symptoms appear.

However, building a wearable lab on the surface of the eye is challenging. Sensors must be biocompatible, transparent and flexible enough to conform to the cornea. Power sources must be miniaturised or harvested wirelessly, and the device must not impair vision or eye health. Despite these hurdles, a growing ecosystem of startups is racing to commercialise smart contacts that deliver continuous health insights. Below we highlight six companies leading the charge.

XPANCEO: a multi‑phase roadmap to all‑in‑one smart lenses

Dubai‑based XPANCEO has arguably generated the most buzz in the smart contact lens space. At the LEAP 2025 technology conference the deep‑tech startup unveiled a lens that merges flexible electronics with 2D materials to create a full‑colour augmented‑reality (AR) display. But the company sees AR as just one piece of a three‑phase roadmap. According to Arab News, XPANCEO plans to release three versions: an initial lens that enhances vision in low‑light conditions; a second lens designed specifically for health tracking; and a final lens that combines health monitoring with a full‑screen AR overlay. Chief technology officer Roman Gasin explained that the lens behaves like a miniature laboratory: neuro‑interfacing electrodes augment vision while sensors monitor stress levels, blood sugar, body temperature and dry‑eye parameters. If the device detects high cortisol or elevated blood glucose, it could alert the wearer to take action before symptoms arise.

At the 2025 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, XPANCEO showed three prototypes that illustrate the breadth of its ambitions. One prototype features a wireless charging case and built‑in AR microdisplay. A second prototype integrates an intraocular pressure sensor that replicates the human eye and uses artificial intelligence to detect early glaucoma. The third prototype is a biosensing lens that measures body parameters directly from tear fluid; XPANCEO says it can monitor glucose levels, hormones and vitamins B1, B2, B3, E and D, eliminating the need for blood draws. The company’s “data reading” framework provides real‑time biometric information to external devices, and XPANCEO has won industry awards for its prototypes while targeting a commercial release in late 2026.

XPANCEO’s strategy emphasises modularity. Articles from Auganix note that the biosensing lens uses nanoparticles to amplify biochemical signals, enabling detection of subtle changes in tear composition. Another prototype features a sensor that provides real‑time intraocular pressure readings for glaucoma management. An article on Organically Human offers further insight into the company’s vision: XPANCEO has built four lens versions (holographic, biosensing, nanoparticle and clear lenses) and eventually plans to integrate them into a single device. The biosensing lens can notify the wearer of pressure spikes, and XPANCEO aims to track blood pressure, cortisol and glucose so that the lens could “advise the user against another cup of coffee” when blood pressure is high. These claims illustrate the company’s ambition to turn the eye into a real‑time health dashboard.

Sensimed: continuous glaucoma monitoring with Triggerfish

While many smart lens projects remain in the lab, Swiss company Sensimed AG has a product on the market. Its Triggerfish lens is the only commercially available device in the U.S. that provides 24‑hour monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP). The Triggerfish is a soft silicone contact lens embedded with a microsensor that measures circumferential changes at the corneo‑scleral junction, which correlate with IOP fluctuations. The lens transmits data wirelessly to an antenna worn around the eye and a portable recorder, delivering 288 data points over a 24‑hour period. This continuous data captures the nocturnal IOP peaks and posture‑related fluctuations that are often missed during single measurements at the clinic.

Clinical studies show the device is generally well tolerated, and the recorded signals have “fair to good reproducibility” and correlate with the rate of visual field progression in glaucoma. However, researchers caution that there is no direct correlation between the electrical signals recorded by the lens and absolute IOP values; physicians must interpret the patterns rather than rely on a specific mmHg reading. The Triggerfish’s cost and the need to remove it after 24 hours have limited widespread adoption, but it remains an important tool for understanding individual IOP rhythms. Sensimed’s success demonstrates that smart lenses can achieve regulatory approval and provides a template for other startups aiming to bring biosensing contact lenses to market.

Mojo Vision: blending AR and medical diagnostics

California‑based Mojo Vision initially captured headlines for its Mojo Lens, an augmented‑reality contact lens with a micro‑LED display. The company built an “invisible computing platform” that allows users to access digital information through eye movements, offering hands‑free navigation, fitness metrics and notifications. Yet Mojo’s technology is not limited to entertainment. According to an analysis by Greyb Insights, Mojo’s lens has dual functionality: beyond AR, the lens can analyse tear fluid, track intraocular pressure and potentially detect early signs of glaucoma. By integrating health sensors with its microdisplay, Mojo aims to deliver a device that provides both information and diagnostics without compromising vision.

Mojo Vision’s prototype includes a tiny accelerator, gyroscope and magnetometer for eye tracking, as well as a custom wireless power system. The lens is designed to be worn during daily activities, and the company has partnered with sports equipment makers to test fitness applications. However, scaling the technology has proven difficult. In 2023 Mojo announced that it would pause development of the consumer AR lens due to funding challenges. Even so, the company continues to explore medical applications of its sensor platform; by leveraging its tear‑fluid analysis and IOP‑sensing capabilities, Mojo could pivot toward health‑focused products that support glaucoma monitoring or early detection of metabolic conditions. The story illustrates both the potential and the precarious finances of bleeding‑edge hardware startups.

InWith Corporation: embedding electronics in soft lenses

While some startups focus on biosensing, InWith Corporation is building a platform to embed computer circuitry and flexible electronics into standard soft contact lenses. The company’s website emphasises that its patented technology can transform ordinary hydrogel lenses into a multiverse of applications, including XR displays, tunable focus for vision correction and biosensors. By integrating microelectronics into the lens, InWith aims to deliver an unobtrusive heads‑up display and real‑time information overlay while preserving the comfort of daily‑wear lenses.

An article on Perle Systems provides a glimpse of how InWith’s lenses might work. Smart lenses house multiple sensors and processors arranged around the circumference of the lens. Flexible electronic substrates adhere to the silicone‑hydrogel material and act as conductors; an inner ring can automatically change the lens’s dioptric power to adjust focus; and sensors affixed to the inner ring activate heads‑up display elements to project information into the wearer’s field of view. InWith’s design emphasises everyday practicality: the company envisions projecting speed limits, weather updates or navigation cues directly onto the lens while also allowing physicians to monitor ocular health through embedded biosensors. In this way the lenses could function both as AR devices and as health trackers, though the firm has yet to reveal specific biomarker targets.

InWith showcased its technology at CES 2022, where its soft smart lens drew attention for being compatible with widely used contact lenses. Company founder Michael Hayes and optical engineer David Markus – both with backgrounds in biomedical engineering – hold numerous patents on piezoelectric energy harvesting contact lenses and wireless communication systems. The company’s approach underscores a broader trend: instead of building a single purpose device, some startups are creating platforms that allow multiple sensing, display and vision‑correction functions to coexist in a single contact lens.

Azalea Vision: adaptive optics and biosensing for ocular disorders

Belgian startup Azalea Vision, a spinoff of imec and Ghent University, is developing ALMA (Active Light Management), a smart contact lens designed to help patients with keratoconus, corneal irregularities, presbyopia and photophobia. Rather than projecting images, the ALMA lens adjusts the light entering the eye using adaptive optics, custom microelectronics and liquid‑crystal technology. Embedded sensors and NFC‑compatible antennas allow the lens to communicate with external devices like smartphones or smartwatches. Users can remotely control lens modes and personalise configurations via intuitive gestures, such as bringing a device near the eye.

Azalea’s technology is built to scale. The company notes that its lens can adapt to fluctuating conditions like presbyopia and keratoconus, and it envisions future applications in diagnostics, biosensing and ocular drug delivery. On its home page Azalea states that its smart adaptive vision system goes beyond vision correction: with real‑time sensing, integrated microelectronics and NFC capabilities, the lens turns the eye into both a window and a sensor. The device’s architecture supports detecting tear‑based biomarkers to monitor glaucoma, glucose levels, dry eye and more. It also supports precision drug delivery, where therapeutics are delivered directly through the lens, and a human‑device interface that lets users switch modes with a gesture. Though still in pre‑clinical development, ALMA represents an approach that combines personalised optics with biosensing and connectivity.

Medella Health: non‑invasive glucose sensing for diabetics

Canadian startup Medella Health has quietly pursued a simpler but impactful goal: eliminating finger‑stick tests for people with diabetes. According to an article in The Ophthalmologist, Medella is developing smart contact lenses embedded with biosensors that monitor glucose levels in tear fluid. The company says its lens will transmit near‑real‑time data to an external mobile device, providing continuous glucose information without the pain or inconvenience of blood tests. By relaying glucose trends to a smartphone, the lens could help users adjust diet or insulin doses proactively and reduce the risk of complications.

Medella’s concept builds on earlier work by Google’s Verily and Novartis, who attempted to create a glucose‑sensing lens but paused the project in 2018 due to difficulties correlating tear and blood glucose levels. Medella hopes to overcome these challenges by improving sensor sensitivity and calibration algorithms. The company reportedly uses ultra‑thin micro‑sensors and a wireless communication module, and it intends to sell lenses as a subscription service to ensure proper follow‑up and calibration. If successful, Medella could provide diabetics with the first truly non‑invasive glucose monitoring option. The lens would also lay the groundwork for sensing other metabolites in tear fluid, enabling a broader platform for chronic disease management.

Challenges and considerations

Smart contact lenses promise to transform healthcare, but commercialising them requires overcoming significant obstacles. Biocompatibility is paramount; sensors, circuits and batteries must not irritate the cornea or leach harmful substances. Materials like hydrogels and 2D nanomaterials must maintain transparency and oxygen permeability. Power management is another hurdle: devices need micro‑batteries or wireless energy harvesting to operate continuously. XPANCEO’s prototypes include a wireless charging case, while researchers explore harvesting energy from eye movements or electromagnetic waves.

Sensor accuracy and data interpretation pose additional challenges. Continuous glucose sensing in tears must account for the lag between tear and blood glucose and calibrate for individual differences; Google and Novartis halted their glucose lens project because they could not reliably correlate tear glucose to blood sugar. Sensimed’s Triggerfish demonstrates that even with regulatory approval, interpreting relative pressure changes requires specialist training. Startups must also contend with regulatory approvals, ensuring their devices are safe, effective and meet medical device standards. High manufacturing costs and the need for eye‑care professionals to fit and monitor the lenses could limit adoption unless companies can demonstrate clear clinical benefits.

Privacy and data security are critical when lenses transmit health metrics. These devices collect continuous biometric data and may interact with smartphones and cloud platforms. Companies must implement strong encryption and comply with health information regulations to protect users. Finally, there is consumer acceptance: many people are unfamiliar with the idea of electronics on their eye, and adoption may hinge on comfort, ease of use and clear benefits. Education and trial programmes may help build trust.

Future directions: beyond health monitoring

While the startups profiled above focus on specific health metrics, smart contact lenses could support broader applications in the coming decade. Drug delivery is one promising avenue; by integrating reservoirs or micro‑pumps, lenses can deliver medication directly to the eye, potentially improving treatment adherence for glaucoma or dry eye. Azalea Vision highlights this capability in its roadmap. Adaptive optics may offer dynamic correction for presbyopia or ocular irregularities, adjusting the lens’s refractive power in real time – a feature that InWith Corporation and Azalea Vision are pursuing.

Personalised biomarker panels could emerge as sensor technology advances. XPANCEO’s biosensing lens already monitors glucose, hormones and multiple vitamins, and Organically Human reports that the company hopes to add blood pressure and cortisol to its monitoring suite. With improved sensitivity, future lenses might detect cholesterol, lactate or inflammatory markers, giving users a holistic picture of metabolic health. Coupled with artificial intelligence, these data streams could offer predictive insights and personalised recommendations.

Augmented reality and human–device interfaces remain a driving force behind many of these companies. Mojo Vision’s AR display and XPANCEO’s full‑screen lens show how health data could be overlaid on the real world. InWith Corporation’s tunable focus and heads‑up display aim to provide seamless information without obstructing vision. Azalea Vision’s near‑field communication system allows users to switch modes with a simple gesture. As these technologies mature, contact lenses could become central to ambient computing, delivering notifications, translating languages, monitoring vital signs and adjusting vision, all from a thin film on the eye.

Conclusion: a new frontier for personalised health

Smart contact lenses sit at the crossroads of biotechnology, electronics and optics. They offer a compelling vision of non‑invasive, continuous health monitoring that could complement or even replace traditional methods for managing chronic diseases. Startups like XPANCEO are pushing the envelope with all‑in‑one lenses that track stress, glucose and vitamins while delivering augmented reality. Sensimed has already brought an intraocular pressure sensor to market, giving physicians a tool to understand each patient’s unique glaucoma profile. Mojo Vision shows how tear‑fluid analysis can coexist with a micro‑display, while InWith Corporation is embedding flexible electronics into lenses to provide tunable focus and heads‑up displays. Azalea Vision combines adaptive optics with biosensing and aims to monitor tear‑based biomarkers and deliver drugs directly to the eye, and Medella Health is working toward a lens that could free diabetics from finger‑stick tests by transmitting real‑time glucose data.

Despite regulatory and technical hurdles, these startups illustrate how the humble contact lens could become a gateway to personalised medicine. By capturing biomarkers in tears and translating them into actionable data, smart lenses could help users adjust behaviours, detect disease early and collaborate with healthcare providers more effectively. As the technology matures and converges with artificial intelligence and AR, the line between vision correction, diagnostics and digital assistance will blur. The coming years will reveal whether smart contact lenses deliver on their promise, but the innovations underway suggest that eyes may soon do more than see – they may tell us how our bodies are doing, in real time.