Google announces smart contact lens partner

Google is to partner with Swiss drug company Novartis to develop and market its 'smart contact lenses', designed to improve wearers' vision and monitor their health.

Novartis' eye care division Alcon will work with Google X on lenses containing non-invasive sensors, microchips and embedded miniaturised electronics to monitor glucose levels in the tears of diabetics, or to restore the eye’s natural focus in people who can no longer read without glasses.

Alcon currently develops surgical, pharmaceutical and vision care products to improve sight across the world.

Google first unveiled a smart lens prototype in January, featuring an minuscule glucose sensor and a wireless transmitter embedded outside the pupil and iris so as not to obscure vision.

Google's prototype contact lens was first revealed in January