Google has filed a patent for smart contact lenses with built-in micro camera, PatentBolt is reporting. According to the site’s findings, this product isn’t designed to be used as a tech gimmick and spy equipment only, but as a real-life working medical device. For one thing, it could help the visually impaired get information about objects and people around them.

A camera would be able to detect obstacles and people in one’s vicinity and send that information to smartphone, which would then provide an audio cue to the user. Moreover, smart contact lenses could be a life saver, helping the blind cross the street and get their way around cities.

On the other hand, those with no sight problems would be able to see farther by focusing in on distant objects more clearly, and (again) get relevant information about people they encounter.

Privacy concerns will arise once this product is out, but at this point, the release seems years away. The obvious problem Google will have to address is power input. It’s not clear how these smart lenses would get sufficient amount energy to deliver the goodies.