Google is developing a smart contact lens built to measure glucose levels in tears, as an alternative to finger pricks for glucose testing. Diabetes is a huge and growing problem. Many people with diabetes face the daily struggle as they try to keep their blood sugar levels (Glucose) under control. In orde to do that, they prick their finger and test drops of blood throughout the day.

Google is testing a smart contact lens that?s built to measure glucose levels in tears using a tiny wireless chip and miniaturized glucose sensor that are embedded between two layers of soft contact lens material. Prototypes will be able to generate a reading once per second. Google is also investigating the potential for this to serve as an early warning for the wearer, so the company is exploring integrating tiny LED lights that could light up to indicate that glucose levels have crossed above or below certain thresholds.

Although it's still early days for this technology, Google has completed multiple clinical research studies which are helping to refine the prototype.

The company is also in discussions with the FDA, but there's still a lot more work to do to turn this technology into a system that people can use.