Lab on a Contact Lens Can Measure Stress Through Serotonin
spectrum.ieee.org
spectrum.ieee.org
* Hello, we've called you to HR because we've detected you have been stressed at work.
- Sure, some... overwork status after you reduce headcount, but nothing it isn't being managed with the hierarchy chain.
* Glad to know. Be sure we, as a company, endeavour to have a stress-free workplace. You will be put in a Stress Workplace Reduction PIP, just as a formality of course; since you mentioned you have taken the appropriate steps to reduce stress you should pass the PIP, no need to stress about it! See you in a few weeks.
- Er... Thanks......?
They operate on the principle "what you don't know can't hurt you," they turn completely black and opaque at the first sign of trouble, so you can't see anything that might alarm you.
The color change could also be subtle enough to require a sensor in smartglasses, but I don't think that's too bad. If the lenses ever get to the point where they're relaying multiple things, you're going to need a sensor anyway to demux those signals.
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"The team's next step is to move from the current laboratory-connected platform toward a fully integrated wearable system. The team plans to integrate wireless components so a future version of the lens can acquire and transmit readings in real time while being worn, rather than requiring tear samples to be collected and analyzed afterward.
Larger and more diverse human studies will be needed to determine how tear serotonin relates to stress and mental health across different populations. Long-term sensor stability, calibration in the dynamic tear environment, comfort, manufacturing reproducibility and extended on-eye safety will also need to be established before the technology can move toward clinical use."
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-smart-contact-lens-se...