New infrared contact lenses allow people to SEE in the dark, even with their eyes closed

NIGHT vision contact lenses are being invented by scientists and could even work with your eyes closed.

A study found technology implanted into the eye can successfully pick up infrared light that is invisible to the naked eye.

Yuqian Ma, Yunuo Chen, Hang ZhaoThe contact lens contains particles that convert infrared light to visible light[/caption]

Bizarrely it even works through closed human eyelids, which do not completely block out infrared.

Experts hope the lenses could restore full vision for colourblind people or be used to transmit secret signals.

Professor Tian Xue, from the University of Science and Technology of China, said “Our research opens up the potential for non-invasive devices to give people super-vision.”

Prof Xue’s invention uses nanoparticles that convert infrared light into wavelengths that are visible to the human eye.

Infrared light is everywhere and is emitted by heat sources and TV remotes, but the human eye cannot see it.

If we could it would look like heat vision, where hot blobs shine brighter than cold areas.

Cops and soldiers use it to see in the dark but usually require electric-powered goggles or cameras.

The new lenses do not require a power source and are small and flexible enough to pop into the eye like normal contacts.

People could get ‘super-vision’

Tests on humans and mice proved they add extra visual powers.

Colour-coding particles to absorb different wavelengths of light made the lenses able to separate blue, green and red.

Prof Xue said: “It was clear that without the contact lenses, the subject could not see anything, but when they put them on they could clearly see the flickering infrared light.

“We also found that when the subject closes their eyes, they’re even better able to receive this flickering information, because near-infrared light penetrates the eyelid more effectively so there is less interference from visible light.

“Flickering infrared light could be used to transmit information in security, rescue, encryption or anti-counterfeiting.

“In the future we hope to make a contact lens with higher sensitivity.”