FRIDAY, April 25, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A non-invasive glucose sensor that can fit in the eye to measure sugar levels in body fluids has been developed by University of Pittsburgh researchers.
The new sensor could spare people with diabetes from having to prick their fingers several times a day to check their blood sugar levels. The research appears in a recent online issue of Analytical Chemistry.
The researchers created a thin plastic sensor that changes color based on the concentrations of glucose. They plan to embed the sensor material into contact lenses worn in the eyes. People wearing the sensors could check their glucose levels by looking into a specially designed mirror.
The mirror, similar to a woman's makeup compact mirror, would have a color chart. While looking in the mirror, the wearer could measure his or her glucose levels by comparing the color of the sensor in their eyes to the color chart on the mirror.
The sensor turns red when it detects dangerously low glucose concentrations and turns violet to indicate dangerously high glucose concentrations. Green is the color for normal glucose levels.
The researchers say it will be at least a year before the sensor is tested on humans.
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