Using the new -smart contact lens- could prevent deaths caused by fungal eye infections in developing countries Currently, detecting which bacteria or fungus is present in an eye infection is an invasive and lengthy process - the new test would involve the patient wearing the special lens for an hour, with the results determined soon afterwards It will also cut down on the misprescribing of antibiotics, helping in the fight to reduce antibiotic resistance - A pioneering -smart contact lens- to test for eye infections in a quick, non-invasive way is being developed. It is hoped the test could eventually be available to use at home and has been hailed as the next big leap in the global fight against preventable blindness. It could even prevent deaths caused by fungal eye infections in developing countries. The lens has been produced thanks to research conducted by an international team of scientists from the University of Sheffield, University of Bradford and the L V Prasad Eye Institute in India. Currently, detecting which bacteria or fungus is present in an eye infection is an invasive process in which a scraping of the patient's eye is taken under anaesthetic. The sample is then cultured for two days before being studied under a microscope. The new test would involve the patient wearing the special lens for an hour, with the results determined soon afterwards.
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