CSIO develops precision safety goggles to prevent infections amid COVID-19 pandemic

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26

The Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) has developed a technology for precision manufacturing of safety goggles for healthcare professionals involved in treating high viral load patients as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current situation has brought out the need and significance of effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect the healthcare service providers, patients and visitors from accidentally getting infected. The technology has been transferred to a copy-based private firm for its commercialisation and mass production.

According to the scientists, the conjunctiva membrane, located inside the eyelid to lubricate the eyeballs, is the only exposed mucous membrane of the body. When the eyes are opened, the conjunctiva membrane is also exposed, making it an important but often overlooked entrance for viruses. The protective eyewear is ergonomically designed to provide full cover and efficient sealing to the eye area from hazardous aerosols as well as other suspended particles.

A team of CSIO scientists led by Dr Vinod Karar, chief scientist and head, Optical Devices and Systems, had taken up the design and development of the safety goggles in consultation with various industries and stakeholders.

These safety goggles are designed with a flexible frame to provide tighter sealing with the skin of the face and would cover the eyes and the surrounding areas and even accommodating for prescription eyeglasses. It consists of a sturdy polycarbonate lens and an adjustable elastic strap for ease of wearing.

“The goggles comply to ANSI/SEA Z87.1-2010 standard with respect to see-through optical transmittance and can be used in varied environmental conditions without any fogging or fatigue,” said Dr Neha Khatri, senior scientist and Principal Investigator, CSIO, associated with the project.

The team included Dr Vinod Karar, Dr Sanjeev Soni, Dr Amit L Sharma, Dr Mukesh Kumar and Vinod Mishra.

Dr Surender S Saini, head, Business Initiatives and Project Planning, said apart from healthcare professionals, the safety goggles could also be useful for the general public in crowded areas as well as in public transport.