Breakthrough contact lenses let humans see infrared light

A team of international scientists led by Chinese researchers has developed groundbreaking contact lenses that enable humans to see near-infrared light — a capability once thought impossible without complex equipment. This innovation could open new frontiers in medical imaging, visual aid technology, and security applications.

Published in the journal Cell, the study showcases how the team combined visual neuroscience with rare earth elements to produce wearable, transparent lenses that convert invisible infrared light into visible images.

Ordinarily, the human eye detects light only between 400 and 700 nanometers, missing out on near-infrared wavelengths that range from 700 to 2,500 nanometers. These longer wavelengths are especially useful in medicine, as they penetrate biological tissues with minimal harm.

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Fudan University, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School engineered rare earth nanoparticles that convert three distinct infrared wavelengths into red, green, and blue light—making them visible to the naked eye.

While the team had previously enabled animals to see infrared light through retinal injections, this approach was deemed unsuitable for humans. Instead, scientists designed a soft, non-invasive contact lens infused with specially modified nanoparticles.

The result: human test subjects wearing the lenses were able to perceive infrared patterns, recognize time-based light codes, and even distinguish between three different “colors” of infrared light — effectively extending the range of human vision.

These futuristic lenses require no batteries or wires and offer a more natural visual experience than traditional night vision goggles. Their potential uses span across medicine, rescue operations in low-visibility environments, secure communications, and even therapies for visual impairments like color blindness.

Though still in the experimental phase, the researchers believe this innovation could one day