Laser Glasses Aim to Counteract Low Vision

A new type of smart glasses that shine laser light directly onto the retinas could be a boon to people with poor eyesight.

QD Laser Inc. is developing the device in collaboration with the Institute for Nano Quantum Information Electronics at the University of Tokyo, and expects to bring it to market in March of next year.

Courtesy of QD Laser Inc.

In the meantime the device is beginning verification testing at medical universities and other educational institutions in Japan, QD Laser said. A prototype was presented at the recent International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego.

The device has a camera module in the center of the glasses frame, and uses semiconductor lasers as RBG light sources. The company said its eyewear has several advantages over LCD devices for people with low vision, including a wide field of view and high brightness.

QD Laser said the technology could have applications beyond low-vision care. The company is eyeing a launch into the market for workplace support tools and consumer smart glasses by the end of 2017.