Buying guide

Smart Contact Lenses: State of the Tech in 2026

Mojo Vision is gone, but the smart contact lens dream isn't dead. Here's where the technology actually stands today.

Smart Contact Lenses: State of the Tech in 2026

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A quick history

Mojo Vision made waves with the first true AR contact lens prototype, then pivoted away from consumer hardware in 2023. Since then, several players have picked up the torch with more modest goals.

What's actually shipping

Nothing yet for consumers. But medical smart contact lenses — measuring intraocular pressure for glaucoma patients — are in clinical use.

Who's working on what

  • InWith — pursuing tunable-focus lenses with FDA pathway
  • Sony — multiple patents around image-capture contacts
  • Samsung — display-in-contact patents from 2014 onward
  • Mojo Vision — assets and IP are still alive

The big problems

  • Power: how do you put a battery on an eye?
  • Heat: even tiny LEDs warm the cornea
  • Connectivity: short-range RF in moisture is hard
  • Optics: focusing a display inches from your retina

When you can expect to buy one

Realistic estimate: 2030 for a first-gen consumer product. Don't hold your breath, but the work continues.

FAQ

Can I buy a smart contact lens today?

No — none are commercially available for consumers in 2026.

Who's still working on them?

InWith, Mojo (assets), Sony, and Samsung filings continue.

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