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FDA Approves First Contact Lenses That Turn Dark In Bright Sunlight (interestingengineering.com)
The first photochromic contact lenses have been approved by the FDA. "A unique additive will automatically darken the lenses when they're exposed to bright light," reports Interesting Engineering, citing a FDA statement. "The lenses will clear up whenever they're back in normal or darker lighting conditions." From the report: "This contact lens is the first of its kind to incorporate the same technology that is used in eyeglasses that automatically darken in the sun," said Malvina Eydelman. Eydelman serves as director of the division of ophthalmic, and ear, nose and throat devices at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. The FDA approved the technology after extensive trials and clinical studies. One study had 24 wearers use the contacts while driving in both daytime and nighttime settings. The FDA found that there were no problems with driving performance or issues with vision while wearing those contact lenses. In total, over 1,000 patients were involved in the various studies conducted by the FDA. According to current plans, these photochromic lenses should be available for those needing them by the first half of 2019.
Imagine driving during the day and entering a dark tunnel with these on. When you do it with sun glasses on you immediately rip them off so you don't crash. There are other less extreme high contrast situations where these might turn dark when you want to see in the shadows. I can't see how these would be allowed for safety reasons.
I'd like something I read in a science fiction book - contacts or glasses that block direct sunlight.
The glasses know where my pupils are, and where the sun is. Each lens automatically draws an opaque disk onto itself, between the eye's pupil the sun. If I turn my head, each lens draws its disk in a new location, blocking the direct sunlight from entering my eye's pupil.
Those glasses would be handy on a non-hazy day, when I'm driving towards the sun.
You are describing the first symptoms of cataracts. I just had cataract surgery so I know what you're experiencing. Having the surgery is like getting teenage eyesight back. I can even make out the color bands on 1/8th ohm resistors again.