Dr. Abhishek Mandal, PhD

Scientific Advisor, OCULAR Interface

Keywords: Biosensor, Eyecare, Integration, Biosensors application

The Integration of Biosensors in Eyecare

The use of biosensors in healthcare is increasingly gaining ground due to their efficiency in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of medical conditions¹. Integration of biosensors into eyecare is anticipated to revolutionise the field of optometry due to their non-invasive ability to detect biological and chemical substances in real-time². Moreover, biosensors will enable patients to take charge of their health particularly eye care, and enable practitioners to develop and utilise a preventive and participatory medical follow-up system³.

Biosensors in Eyecare

Biosensors are analytical devices that are able to convert biological and chemical responses to electrical signals. These devices consist of an analyte (the substance to be detected), a bioreceptor (a molecule that recognises the analyte), a transducer that converts forms of energy, an electronics processor, and a display with a user interface for interpretation⁴. Eyesight is one of the five critical senses in humans whose care requires sophisticated technology to restore when infected or damaged.

Biological risk factors, occupational exposures, and environmental pollutants are considerably the leading causes of visual morbidity. Arguably, prevention of diseases that affect the eyes is cheaper than treatment and subsequent management making biosensors ideal for the screening and early detection of eye defects. Biosensors are recommended for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of glaucoma; the leading cause of global visual blindness. These devices are used to monitor intraocular pressure which is likely to damage the optic nerves and cause a loss of retinal ganglion cells when there is an increase in the pressure⁵. Additionally, biosensors are used to monitor diseases that affect other organs but are likely to impact visual health such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

Biosensors offer remarkable precision in monitoring physiological changes, which is crucial for managing chronic eye conditions. Their non-invasive nature makes them an attractive option for patients, eliminating the discomfort associated with traditional diagnostic methods. The devices, which combine biological components with physicochemical detectors, can be embedded in contact lenses or ocular implants, enabling continuous and non-invasive monitoring of critical parameters such as intraocular pressure (IOP) and glucose levels in tears^5,6. Real-time data such as spikes in pressure can be relayed by biosensors ensuring that any deviations from the therapeutic goals are promptly identified, enabling personalised adjustments to treatment regimens⁶.

In addition to screening, diagnosis, and treatment, biosensors can also be used to enhance patient compliance with treatment plans⁷. Integrating biosensor data with genetic information is crucial in the management of age-related macular degeneration through regular monitoring and early preventive measures, informed by continuous biosensor feedback⁸. In spite of the tremendous improvements in eyecare due to biosensors, these devices are quite expensive to develop and install, making them inaccessible to the majority in resource-limited settings who might need them⁹.

In conclusion, biosensors promise a shift towards more proactive and personalised eyecare, where early detection and tailored treatments become the norm thus significantly improving the quality of life for patients with chronic eye conditions. Biosensors’ real-time monitoring capabilities ensure that significant changes in a patient’s condition are promptly detected, allowing immediate intervention.

References

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2. Damborský P, Švitel J, Katrlík J. Optical biosensors. Essays in biochemistry. 2016 Jun 30;60(1):91–100.
3. Ghorbanizamani F, Moulahoum H, Guler Celik E, Timur S. Material Design in Implantable Biosensors toward Future Personalized Diagnostics and Treatments. Applied Sciences. 2023 Apr 6;13(7):4630.
4. Mehrotra P. Biosensors and their applications – A review. Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research. 2016;6(2):153–9.
5. Raveendran R, Prabakaran L, Senthil R, Yesudhason BV, Dharmalingam S, Sathyaraj WV, et al. Current Innovations in Intraocular Pressure Monitoring Biosensors for Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma—Novel Strategies and Future Perspectives. Biosensors. 2023 Jun 18;13(6).
6. Yuqi Shi, Nan Jiang, Priyanka Bikkannavar, Francesca Cordeiro M, K. Yetisen A. Ophthalmic sensing technologies for ocular disease diagnostics. Analyst. 2021 Oct 25;146(21):6416–44.
7. Chai PR, Castillo-Mancilla J, Buffkin E, Darling C, Rosen RK, Horvath KJ, et al. Utilizing an Ingestible Biosensor to Assess Real-Time Medication Adherence. Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology. 2015 Dec;11(4):439–44.
8. Tseng RC, Chen CC, Hsu SM, Chuang HS. Contact-Lens Biosensors. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland). 2018 Aug 13;18(8):2651.
9. Flynn CD, Chang D. Artificial Intelligence in Point-of-Care Biosensing: Challenges and Opportunities. Diagnostics. 2024 May 25;14(11).