Researchers have created contact lenses which bestow telescopic vision on their wearers. The lens research was being funded by Darpa, the research arm of the US military. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23142469  Polarising filters in the spectacles allow wearers to switch between normal and telescopic vision.  Tiny aluminium mirrors scored with a specific pattern act as a magnifier as they bounce the light around four times within the ring before directing it towards the retina. Wearers can switch it on by changing the filters on the spectacles so the only light falling on their retina comes from the magnified stream. “They are not so concerned about macular degeneration. They are concerned with super vision”