Joshua de Souza, MSE; Digvijay Singh, MSE |Drizzle Health
Competition Sponsor: National Academy of Medicine
Awardee Year: 2024
In our endeavor to combat glaucoma—the leading cause of irreversible blindness—we propose a pioneering device. This compact, affordable, portable, and modular tool is crafted to effortlessly complement existing ocular instruments, aiming to significantly bolster early-stage glaucoma screening and treatment refinement. Given glaucoma’s insidious advancement, leading to considerable vision loss before detection, our device’s capacity for precise, high-resolution intraocular pressure (IOP) readings marks a pivotal advancement in its early identification and management. Our motivation arises from the current technological and screening shortfalls that miss early glaucoma stages. Despite home monitoring technologies like iCare HOME, obstacles such as cost, adherence, and the necessity for training restrict their widespread use, particularly in developing regions. Conversations with medical professionals in high-volume eye care centers in the United States and India highlighted a critical need for an accessible, straightforward solution that delivers accurate IOP measurements across various corneal states without the need for extensive training or significant expense. We propose a dual-phase strategy: initially creating a benchtop mechano-optical system for accurate pressure detection on curved surfaces, then miniaturizing this system into a wearable prototype that aligns with daily optical accessories. This leap forward not only aims to make glaucoma screening universally accessible but also strives to preserve vision and enhance the quality of life for millions at risk. Our objective is to authenticate this technology through comprehensive testing and partnerships with leading eye care entities, paving the way for a future where glaucoma can be identified and addressed before causing irreversible damage.