When it comes to dealing with poor vision, you have a handful of options — either glasses, getting LASIK or contact lenses. The last one, many find very discomforting. Poking fingers right into the eyeball to pull out a layer, the entire process is cumbersome and in my opinion truly horrifying.
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However, now an engineer has made a device that does this dirty work for us. He’s built a robot that carefully inserts and takes out contact lenses from the eye, in a matter of seconds. The robot is named ‘Claira’ which is an abbreviation for “Contact Lens Insertion and Removal Apparatus.”
Reported first by CNN, Creator of Cliara, Craig Hershoff, was diagnosed with Fuch’s dystrophy in the year 2000 and since then has been suffering poor eyesight. He even underwent three surgeries for corneal transplants in just 10 years, but the problem persisted.
Later he discovered a new treatment where a special contact lens dubbed scleral lenses could help him get his visions back. His wife would help him put the lenses. However, after she passed away, he found it really difficult to replace the lenses as his hands would shake a lot. This is what made him create this apparatus.
YouTube: WPLG Local 10
The apparatus has a camera attached and right next to it is a tiny screen that can help you see where you’re placing the eyeball. The robotic arm has sensitive force sensors that detect contact with the lens and know when to stop pushing ahead.
It has a small suction cup that attaches to the lens and pulls it out. The same cup is helpful for inserting the lens back in too.
YouTube: WPLG Local 10
Cliara is designed specifically for people who are suffering from neurological disorders that make their hands tremor and jitter. Alternatively, people who are sensitive to people touching eyes can also benefit from Cliara. The machine is currently waiting approval from the FDA to be available for all.
What do you think about the robot? Is it cool or even more creepy? Would you give it a chance? Tell us in the comments below, and keep reading Indiatimes.com for more science and technology news.