Replacement of bifocal glasses
2006/05/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Crystals have been developed at the University of Arizona that change focus in one eye. The goal is to replace bifocal glasses.
As age increases, the outer layer of the eye loses flexibility, making it difficult to shift focus from distant objects to closest ones. To solve it people use bifocal glasses, especially from a certain age.
The new glass has the ability to adapt the focus. To achieve this, between two layers of simple glass, it has one of liquid crystal. This central layer, for its part, has tiny transparent electrodes arranged in concentric circles that are responsible for controlling the optical characteristics of the crystal.
A small electric current changes the configuration of the molecules that form the liquid crystal. As a result, glass facilitates the view of nearby objects. Without electric current, crystal helps to see distant things.
According to the researchers, the results obtained in simulations and tests with the public have been good and hope to market in two or three years. At first glance, it seems they can have quite a few customers. Yes, before marketing they will have to make some changes to the glasses so that aesthetically they are more attractive than now.
