Fast-Switching, High-Contrast, Electrochromic Sunwear for Persons with Age-Relate

DESCRIPTION Age Related Macular Degeneration ARMD afflicts andgt of the andgt population andgt of US visually impaired population is andgt within this ARMD is the largest cause of impairment A primary feature of ARMD is inability to adapt between light dark L D leading to loss in functional vision indoors outdoors There is currently no proven practical noninvasive medical or surgical treatment for ARMD applicable to all patients Current highly inadequate remedies Multiple layers of sunglasses put on taken off rapidly between L D V slow switching photochromics need UV light for activation incomplete switching s complete min donandapos t work inside cars indoors Expensive anti angiogenic drugs low vision aids photodynamic therapy v limited relief Surgery mostly for andquot end stageandquot ARMD e g telescope implant only partial vision laser photo coagulation only for non sub foveal ARMD submacular subretinal surgery limited success A solution would greatly improve the quality of life well being of the of age andgt adults afflicted with ARMD as well as persons with other age related diseases e g diabetic retinopathy corneal dystrophy retinitis pigmentosa Wagner syndrome retinoschesis In earlier work our group extensively studied age andgt ARMD veterans at Atlanta VA Center showing they could benefit highly from fast darkening andlt s electrochromic EC glasses based on liquid crystals LCs vs multiple sunglasses photochromics LC glasses however had serious drawbacks In present Phase I a breakthrough EC technology based on Conducting Polymers CPs was demonstrated with perfectly matched complimentarily coloring CPs yielding typical L D contrast nm industry standard algorithm Inexpensive andlt $ Controller with algorithm yielding switching times andgt X faster than with conventional voltage control L andgt D to s D andgt L s fully automated photosensor control V thin flexible durable Cyclability andgt ^ cycles Excellent optical memory V low power uW cm VDC Est andlt $ pair High current potentiostat developed andlt $ unit dramatically reducing manufacture cost Proposed work will Complete final tech refinement mainly lower resistivity thinner ITO substrates to dramatically enhance switching time and L D contrast Fabricate prototypes of distinct product designs Optimize by testing on ARMD patients at Atlanta VA Center subjects age andgt ARMD other age related eye diseases Further miniaturize manufacture Controller battery Complete initial producn optimizn studies Initial pilot plant glasses pairs month Scale up to glasses month resolve automation issues est product costs Establish relationships with selected contract manufacturers marketing tie ups A successful Phase II will also yield electrochromics that could replace entire photochromics market thus dramatically lowering costs for ARMD sunglasses Joint effort with Atlanta VA Rehab Randamp D Ctr for Aging Vision Loss two industrial automation firms several eyewear distributors PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE The product proposed will finally provide a practical noninvasive non surgical remedy for persons with ARMD who are up to of the aging population and for whom there is currently no practical nonsurgical noninvasive solution while also assisting persons with other age related ocular diseases e g diabetic retinopathy and corneal dystrophy and other eye diseases e g retinitis pigmentosa Wagner syndrome and retinoschesis Other potential applications of such unique high performance CP based electrochromics include the following much larger markets that would also drastically lower costs for persons with ARMD industrial safety sunglasses especially as replacements for photochromics which are ca of the total sunglasses market i e of ca $ b year recreational eyewear e g ski sports and automobile windshield and building windows markets Specific commercial partners have been identified for joint production and marketing and a manufacturing plan formulated