Scientists in China have created a new type of contact lenses that allow wearers to see in the dark by detecting infrared light, an advancement researchers say could pave the way for wearable “super-vision” devices without the need for surgery.
The lenses rely on special light-sensitive particles that capture infrared wavelengths, normally invisible to the human eye, and convert them into visible light. The breakthrough helps individuals to see in low light without needing cumbersome gear or an external power supply. Researchers published their findings this week in the journal Cell Press.
“Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive wearable devices to give people super-vision,” said Tian Xue, a neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China.
He added that the technology could have practical applications in the security, search and rescue, and anti-counterfeiting fields. For instance, flashing infrared lights could be used to transmit hidden messages.
New lenses provide an alternative to traditional night vision
Unlike traditional night-vision goggles, which were first used during World War II, these lenses do not require electronics or external power.
Standard night-vision devices amplify ambient light, converting photons into electrons, which are then projected onto a glowing screen, typically resulting in the familiar green-tinted image. However, such devices are often bulky and struggle to detect longer infrared wavelengths accurately.
Scientists embedded nanoparticles into the same flexible, non-toxic material used in regular soft contact lenses to develop these. The particles absorb infrared light ranging from 800 to 1,600 nanometers and emit it as visible light between 380 and 750 nanometers, allowing users to see details in darkness without external assistance.
The team first tested the lenses on mice. Rodents wearing the lenses avoided areas lit with infrared light, showing a preference for darker spaces, unlike mice without the lenses, which showed no particular behavior.
Since mice are naturally drawn to darkness to avoid predators, researchers concluded that the animals could detect the infrared light. In addition, their pupils constricted in response to the light, and brain scans revealed activity in visual processing regions.
Human trials reveal unexpected advantage
Human trials followed. Participants wearing the lenses could see flickering infrared light and identify its direction. Interestingly, their infrared vision improved when they closed their eyes. “Near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively than visible light, so there is less interference from visible light,” Xue said.
The researchers also tested a second version of the lenses that used altered particles to turn infrared light into red, green, and blue colors. This version, they believe, could one day help people with color blindness. “By converting red visible light into something like green visible light, this technology could make the invisible visible for color blind people,” Xue said.
Despite the progress, the lenses still require improvement. They respond only to strong LED light sources and may not work well with weaker light. Their proximity to the eye may also limit clarity. The team developed a separate wearable glass device to enhance resolution and address this issue.
The technology remains new, but researchers say it shows strong promise for future vision-enhancing wearables.
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