Infrared contact lenses allow people to see in the dark, even with their eyes closed

[erronis]

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-infrared-contact-lenses-people-dark.html

Neuroscientists and materials scientists have created contact lenses that enable infrared vision in both humans and mice by converting infrared light into visible light. Unlike infrared night vision goggles, the contact lenses, described in the journal Cell, do not require a power source—and they enable the wearer to perceive multiple infrared wavelengths. Because they're transparent, users can see both infrared and visible light simultaneously, though infrared vision was enhanced when participants had their eyes closed.

"Our research opens up the potential for noninvasive wearable devices to give people super-vision," says senior author Tian Xue, a neuroscientist at the University of Science and Technology of China. "There are many potential applications right away for this material. For example, flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting settings."

The contact lens technology uses nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and convert it into wavelengths that are visible to mammalian eyes (e.g., electromagnetic radiation in the 400–700 nm range). The nanoparticles specifically enable the detection of "near-infrared light," which is infrared light in the 800–1600 nm range, just beyond what humans can already see.

. . .

[sop]

1. Very interesting.

When he was ten-years-old Trump ordered one of these from an ad in the back of a comic book:

[CaptainTruth]

9. I remember those ads, & Sea Monkeys!

[Jerry2144]

2. Those could be useful if they also correct the vision

But what I really want are contacts that block UV and automatically darken in bright light. Pretty much sunglasses in contact form

[Bmoboy]

3. Does not compute

Enhanced vision with closed eyes.

How can one see infrared if one's eyes are closed?

Is the infrared penetrating the eyelids?

[erronis]

4. Yes - apparently. The eyelids have evolved to block visible light but infrared can penetrate

to some limited degree.

As the article states, the clarity is reduced from normal visible light.

[swong19104]

10. We know this happens

When out in the sun, even with the eye lids closing in front of the eyes, one can still sense where the sun is. It’s quite penetrating even with the eyes closed. Now, that’s not just the infrared portion of the sun, but whatever wavelengths that the sun hits us with.

[Ocelot II]

5. This interesting and potentially very useful research is being done in China.

We won't be doing that kind of scientific research any more. Or any kind, apparently; unless it can make money immediately.

[twodogsbarking]

7. Similar to the test atomic bomb blasts. I could see my bones.

[sop]

11. X-ray shoe-fitting machines in shoe stores were very popular, they were banned for obvious health reasons.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/when-xrays-were-all-the-rage-a-trip-to-the-shoe-store-was-dangerously-illuminating

[Bayard]

6. Mice needed this

[OceanPete]

8. Eagle vision

Just like vultures in order to distinguish carcasses from ...