As a result, millions of glaucoma victims are unaware that they have the disease and face eventual blindness. Although glaucoma is more common in adults age 40 and over, it can occur at any age. Glaucoma is on the rise and will continue to mount as the mean age of the population continues to increase. The National Eye Institute estimates there are about 75 million people at risk of developing glaucoma. Early detection and treatment are needed to prevent blindness.
Treatment involves the use of eye drops and, in more severe cases, laser and incisional surgery.
Abreu's device will be designed to use disposable contact lenses with a magnetic strip. A separate device, an actuator about the size of a handheld tape recorder, will generate an electromagnetic field that acts on the lens and obtains a measurement. The system eliminates the problem doctors have detecting peaks in pressure when they do a single test in their office. The measurements can then be transmitted via the Internet to the ophthalmologist studying the case. The device, as designed, will measure the eye pressure in about 0.01 seconds.