Researchers in South Korea have developed experimental smart contact lenses that use gentle electrical stimulation to reduce depression-like symptoms in mice, opening a possible new frontier in non-invasive brain therapy.
Researchers in South Korea have developed experimental smart contact lenses that use gentle electrical stimulation to reduce depression-like symptoms in mice, opening a possible new frontier in non-invasive brain therapy.
The mice study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science,1 tested soft contact lenses embedded with transparent electrodes capable of delivering targeted electrical signals through the retina to the brain.
Unlike traditional brain stimulation techniques, which often require surgery or bulky external equipment, the lens-based system works through the eye using a method called temporal interference. Two harmless high-frequency electrical currents overlap inside the brain, creating a low-frequency stimulation effect only at the targeted region.
The mice study… tested soft contact lenses embedded with transparent electrodes capable of delivering targeted electrical signals through the retina to the brain
Researchers said the approach can successfully activate neural circuits linked to mood regulation without invasive implants.
In trials, mice injected with a stress hormone to increase depression-like behaviour received 30 minutes of stimulation daily for three weeks. According to the researchers, treated mice showed significant behavioural improvements comparable to those seen with fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac.
The team also reported biological changes associated with improved mood, including lower stress hormone levels, increased serotonin activity, and restored communication between key brain regions involved in emotion processing.
The technology remains highly experimental.
The current version was only tested in mice with damaged photoreceptors, as normal visual processing interfered with the electrical signals. Researchers acknowledge that substantial hurdles remain before the approach could be considered for humans.
The researchers are now working on wireless versions of the technology and planning further animal studies before any human trials can begin.
Reference
- Park W, Paek J, Park JU et al. Contact lens bioelectronic platform for non-invasive depression treatment with machine-learning-based evaluation. Cell Rep Phys Sci. 2026;7:103303. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103303.
