Korea unveils world’s first wireless OLED contact lens for eye tests

Korean researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) have developed the world’s first wireless OLED contact lens designed for on-the-go electroretinography (ERG), a diagnostic test that measures the electrical response of retinal cells. This ultrathin (12.5 μm) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) is integrated into a flexible contact lens, enabling retinal function testing without the need for traditional bulky equipment like the Ganzfeld device, which requires patients to sit still in dark rooms. The lens operates wirelessly via a power antenna and control chip at a 433 MHz resonant frequency, allowing stable communication and control through a smartphone-linked sleep mask. Unlike conventional inorganic LEDs, which are rigid and emit light from a single point, the OLED contact lens provides a diffusive, gentle light source that avoids heat damage and produces clear ERG signals at low luminance levels (126 nits). Animal tests confirmed the device’s safety, showing it maintains eye surface temperature below