Abstract
A wink-controlled, military hands-free binocular system using polarization switching and eye-borne optics embedded within wearable scleral contact lenses is described. The lenses provide both refractive unmagnified and peripheral vision and a 2.8× magnification catadioptric telescope using four concentric annular mirrors. Self-contained eyewear with liquid crystal shutters combined with orthogonal linear polarizers within the contact lens allows for selection between the optical paths. A temple-mounted controller monitors reflection of NIR light from a diffusing retroreflector in each lens, ignoring blinks, and switching between paths in response to right- and left-eye winks. The results of testing the prototype system using a scale-model human eye with mechanical “eyelids” as well a small scale clinical (nondispensed) demonstration are discussed.