A wearable patch to help astronauts instil eye drops in space

Researchers have developed an eye patch that uses pressure rather than gravity to instil eye drops in space.

Scientists from The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology created a flexible eye patch that incorporates microchannels to carry liquid and a chemical reaction chamber that generates pressure.

Writing in Sensors and Actuators, the scientists explained that pressure is created through a reaction between vitamin C and baking soda that produces carbon dioxide – pushing liquid through microchannels.

Because the eye patch does not require an external energy source, it is expected to be suitable for settings where equipment is limited.

The researchers noted that as well as its applications for astronauts, the technology could be useful for people who have difficulty using conventional eye drops because of physical limitations.

Professor Ki-Hun Jeong, from The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology created, explained: “The flexible eyedrop patch developed in this study is a wearable platform that can deliver medication without complex additional equipment, and we expect it to expand to space medicine and other settings.”