A Robotic Device to Insert and Remove Contact Lenses

Does anybody really need a robotic device to insert and remove contact lenses?

Most people don’t.

But for those with corneal diseases like Keratoconus or corneal scarring, vision can’t be corrected with glasses - and surgery isn’t always an option.

It then often becomes necessary to rely on scleral contact lenses to restore functional vision. Without them, many would be legally blind.

These lenses are large and fluid-filled - incredibly effective, but notoriously difficult to handle.

For people with tremors, arthritis, low vision, or other physical limitations, inserting or removing them is risky, exhausting, or simply impossible.

And for those with dry eye disease, scleral lenses offer therapeutic comfort - but only if they can be used safely.

That’s why developed too place for a hands-free robotic system that inserts, removes, cleans, and disinfects lenses without human touch.

It’s not about convenience - it’s about restoring independence and preserving vision.

This system is patented and designated as a National Science Registry (NSR) innovation.

And with an aging population, the need for this assistive technology is only increasing.

It’s also a perfect benchmark for robotic dexterity: a real-world test of what assistive robots should be able to do.

If you’re in assistive tech, medical robotics, or human-centered design - let’s connect.

CLIARA LLC