A Biocompatible Microfluidic Sensor for Intraocular Pressure Monitoring

Glaucoma, the second most prevalent cause of global blindness, necessitates intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements for diagnosis and continual patient monitoring. Current methods to measure IOP are inconvenient, as they involve the patient traveling to facilities with IOP measuring machines. While there are several sensors such as Eyemate that enable home based continuous IOP measurements, many issues limit their deployment. In this study, we report an implantable sensor designed on microfluidic principles, offering practical fabrication and high sensitivity. Femtosecond laser direct writing is applied to commercialized intraocular lens (IOL) to fabricate the pneumatic pressure sensor. In addition, the integration of optical coherence tomography affords real-time monitoring and assistance during femtosecond laser operations. This innovative solution significantly streamlines the fabrication process with remarkable reproducibility, reducing cost implications. Noteworthy, the absence of chemical treatment during processing maintains the biocompatibility of commercially available IOL. The proposed sensor heralds a promising future for home-based continuous IOP monitoring for glaucoma patients.