Here's how you can almost become Superman

Scientists have created contact lenses which allow the wearer to shoot lasers from their eyes like Superman.

The ultra-thin membranes are placed on the iris and produce a green beam which can shine up to 20ins from the eye.

Scientists said the beam of light could be used to help in a medical setting or to check for counterfeit banknotes.

Prof Malte Gather, of a research team at St Andrews University in Fife, said, “The intensity of the laser is so low you can put it in the eye without damaging it. It is a new milestone in laser development.”

The researchers performed demonstrations using a cow eye, where the lens emitted a green laser beam when excited with a pulsing blue light.

They were also able to stick these ultra-thin, laser-emitting membranes on to banknotes and found that they still worked after several months.