Twin sisters Matlhogonolo and Masego Mphahlele are setting to change the world of medicine with a genius invention.
Per a report from Red Bull’s blog, the University of Johannesburg students hatched a plan to revolutionize ophthalmological care after witnessing an injury at a soccer match in 2019 when their friends had to wait hours for an eye exam.
They came up with the idea of Digital X-ray Glasses, and will share their idea in a pitch competition at the Red Bull Basement Global Final on March 24-27 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Eye disease disproportionately affects Black Americans. More than 190,000 have low vision, according to the National Eye Institute. And research shows that Black communities may have a higher risk of developing some eye diseases that can lead to vision loss.
The twins acknowledged that if their idea gains the backing needed to create and mass produce, it could save many lives.
“When our teammate was injured playing soccer it was difficult for us to see her in pain whilst we waited for hours for an X-ray,” Matlhogonolo and Masego said according to a Red Bull blog post. “We knew that there must be a quicker and more portable solution than traditional X-ray machines. After much thinking and deliberation, we came up with the idea of Digital X-ray Glasses. Just think, after a tough tackle in a rugby match, the medic could take a digital X-ray there and then and secure the player’s safety.
“This idea could not only help the medical profession but also save lives.”