👁️ Imagine wearing contact lenses that display maps, messages, and health data directly in your field of vision. What once seemed like science fiction is rapidly becoming reality, and Japan is at the forefront of this revolution. In 2025, Japanese universities and companies achieved multiple breakthrough technologies in smart contact lens development. With the global market projected to reach $10 billion by 2030, Japan's innovations are positioning the nation as a key player in the future of wearable computing.
What Are Smart Contact Lenses?
Smart contact lenses are next-generation wearable devices that integrate electronic circuits, sensors, and display capabilities into traditional vision-correcting contact lenses. The potential applications span multiple fields.
For augmented reality, these lenses can overlay real-time information such as navigation, messages, and translated text directly onto your visual field. In healthcare, they can monitor blood glucose levels from tear fluid and track intraocular pressure for early glaucoma detection. Research is also advancing in automatic vision correction and biometric authentication.
Unlike smartphones or smart glasses, contact lenses sit directly on the eye, eliminating the need to hold a device or wear bulky headgear. As the ultimate hands-free device, smart contact lenses are considered the frontrunner for next-generation personal computing.
Japan's R&D Frontline
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology: Solving the "Focus Problem" with Holography
The long-standing challenge in smart contact lens development has been the eye's inability to focus on displays embedded within the lens. Because the retina is too close to the display, conventional approaches result in blurred images.
Professor Yasuhiro Takaki's research group at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology addressed this problem by developing a "Holographic Contact Lens Display" in 2021. Using holography to reproduce light wavefronts from objects, the eye can naturally focus on the displayed images just as it would on real objects.
In April 2024, the project was selected for NICT's Beyond 5G (6G) Fund Program, launching a full-scale industry-academia collaboration with Tokushima University, Waseda University, Citizen Finedevice, and SEED. The research aims to establish foundational technologies for commercialization by 2026.
In October 2025, the "Smart Contact Lens Consortium" was established under Professor Takaki's leadership, with activities scheduled to begin in April 2026. The consortium aims to develop industry standards and strengthen Japan's international competitiveness in this emerging field.
SEED: Democratizing Development with an Open-Source Platform
Japanese contact lens manufacturer SEED unveiled an "Advanced Open-Source Platform" for smart contact lens development in February 2025.
Developing smart contact lenses requires expertise across multiple fields—semiconductors, electronic components, communication technology, materials science, and medical device certification—along with substantial investment. U.S. company Mojo Vision, for example, suspended its smart contact lens development in 2023 due to funding challenges.
SEED's platform provides a common architecture including control LSIs, flexible substrates, and chip mounting technologies, enabling external companies and research institutions to enter smart contact lens development at lower costs.
The platform's core component is an ultra-compact 1.04mm-square chip developed by RAMXEED, featuring FeRAM (ferroelectric memory) with wireless communication and AD converter capabilities.
SEED Group has already commercialized "Triggerfish," a contact lens with an intraocular pressure sensor for glaucoma diagnosis, and has leveraged this technology foundation to develop the platform.
Waseda University: Ensuring Safety with Electromagnetic Shielding
While wireless communication and power transfer are essential for smart contact lenses, the harmful effects of electromagnetic waves on the eyes presented a significant challenge.
In June 2025, Professor Takeo Miyake's research group at Waseda University successfully developed a transparent electromagnetic shield using MXene, a two-dimensional material. This technology enables safe use of smart contact lenses with wireless functionality while protecting the eyes from electromagnetic radiation.
Additionally, this coating provides moisturizing effects that reduce eye dryness, improving comfort during extended wear. Professor Miyake stated that "this technology will become the foundation for all smart contact lenses."
Global Development Competition
XPANCEO: Dubai Startup Targeting 2026 Completion
Dubai-based XPANCEO has emerged as a leader in smart contact lens development, securing $40 million in funding in 2023 and $250 million in summer 2025.
At GITEX Global 2025 in October, the company unveiled six prototypes featuring AR display capabilities, intraocular pressure sensors, and integrated micro-batteries. Utilizing two-dimensional materials and nanophotonics, XPANCEO aims to complete a fully functional prototype by the end of 2026.
Market Projections and Future Outlook
According to market research, Japan's smart contact lens market is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 14.5% from 2025 to 2032, reaching approximately $120 million by 2032. The global market is expected to reach approximately $10 billion by 2030.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has also initiated standardization work for contact lens displays, and Japan's consortium plans to participate in developing industry standards in coordination with these international efforts.
Challenges Toward Commercialization
Several challenges remain before smart contact lenses can be commercialized.
Technical challenges include developing ultra-compact batteries, ensuring durability for extended use, and improving water- and moisture-resistant technologies. Safety considerations require medical device certification, assessment of long-term effects on the eyes, and ensuring data security.
However, Japan's industry-academia collaborations are steadily advancing and addressing these challenges one by one. As the next-generation device after smartphones, smart contact lenses may transform our daily lives sooner than we think.
In Japan, approximately one in three people uses contact lenses. As this familiar device becomes "smart," what changes might we see in our daily lives?
What are the attitudes toward smart contact lenses and wearable devices in your country? What features would make you want to try them? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
References
- https://www.tuat.ac.jp/outline/disclosure/pressrelease/2025/20251008_01.html
- https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000127.000038735.html
- https://www.waseda.jp/inst/research/news/80980
- https://newswitch.jp/p/46300
- https://www.seed.co.jp/smartcl-platform/
- https://eetimes.itmedia.co.jp/ee/articles/2508/01/news002.html
Reactions in Japan
I'm really interested in smart contact lenses! If they have real-time translation, traveling abroad would be so much easier. But I'm worried about the price...
It's amazing that Japanese universities are conducting world-leading research. Holography technology sounds like sci-fi. If it becomes practical, it would be a source of pride for Japan.
Isn't it scary to have electronic circuits in contact lenses? They go directly in your eyes, so I'll wait and see until long-term safety is properly proven.
SEED's decision to create an open platform is a smart strategy. An ecosystem approach rather than monopoly is unusual for a Japanese company.
Using it for early glaucoma detection in medical applications is revolutionary. I think this is really needed technology for Japan's aging society.
What about privacy issues? If it has a camera function, it's scary to think you might be recorded without knowing.
VR goggles are heavy and tiring, so if contact lens type becomes practical, metaverse adoption could accelerate rapidly.
Waseda's electromagnetic shielding technology is impressive. If safety issues are cleared, commercialization hurdles will drop significantly.
It would be convenient to view documents while working, but being surrounded by digital info 24/7 seems mentally exhausting...
Embedding a 1mm-square chip in a contact lens is the essence of Japanese precision technology. I hope Japan doesn't lose in this field.
As someone with dry eyes, regular contacts are already tough, so I can't imagine tolerating ones with electronic components. Maybe it's not for hard lens users.
As a gamer, I feel like AR games will reach the next level. It would be amazing if Pokemon GO-like games displayed directly in your vision.
The projection of a ¥1.3 trillion market by 2030 seems a bit optimistic, doesn't it? I think technical hurdles are still quite high.
If it can monitor blood glucose, it could dramatically improve life for diabetes patients. I'm looking forward to its use in medical fields.
Japanese companies entering a field that Mojo Vision withdrew from makes me a bit anxious. Worried they might lose to overseas competitors in funding.
I'm hopeful since it's an industry-academia collaboration with government funding. If they're using tax money, I hope they produce results.
It was disappointing when Mojo Vision withdrew in Silicon Valley, but it's encouraging that Japanese and Middle Eastern startups are continuing development. Competition accelerates innovation.
In the UK, there's high interest in medical wearables. Smart contact lenses with glaucoma detection could mean significant cost savings for the NHS.
As a German engineer, I'm always impressed by Japanese precision technology. Integrating a 1mm-square chip into a contact lens is remarkable engineering.
In India, many regions have limited access to eye care. If smart contact lenses enable self-monitoring of eye pressure, it could revolutionize health management for people in remote areas.
In Spain, I think contact lens type would be more accepted than smart glasses. Glasses are noticeable, but contacts are invisible to others.
I'm a medical researcher in Australia. Japan's open platform approach is excellent. If research institutions can collaborate and share costs, commercialization will accelerate.
In France, we're sensitive about personal data protection. Before smart contact lenses become widespread, strict regulations on data privacy will be necessary.
Korea, like Japan, has a large contact lens user market. Samsung and LG might enter this field too. I hope Japan and Korea develop while competing.
I know XPANCEO is developing in Dubai, but I'm looking forward to collaboration with Japanese technology. The combination of Middle Eastern funding and Japanese tech might be unbeatable.
In Canada, foggy glasses in cold weather is an issue. Contact lens type AR devices would solve such problems. Can't wait for commercialization.
In Italy, fashion matters. Smart glasses are hard to accept design-wise, but invisible contact lens type means not sacrificing style.
Research on tear-powered energy is also advancing in Singapore. I hope international cooperation with Japan and Dubai can solve the battery problem for smart contact lenses.
As a US physician, I'm watching how the FDA approval process will unfold. Technology that clears Japanese medical device certification could be promising for the US market too.
I work at an IT company in Poland. If smart contact lenses become widespread, it will create a new market for software developers too. Very interested in app development.
As a Japanese American, I'm proud that Japanese technology is leading the world. But ultimately, I think price and usability will be key to widespread adoption.