These smart glasses automatically focus on what you’re looking at

Smart Glasses: The Future of Vision Correction is Just Around the Corner

As we age, many of us start to notice our vision isn’t quite what it used to be, especially when it comes to seeing things up close. That’s exactly what happened to Carlos Mastrangelo when he hit his 50s. Like so many others, he found himself needing reading glasses just to get through the day. But for Mastrangelo, an electrical and computer engineering professor at the University of Utah, the idea of relying on a solution that’s been around since the 18th century just didn’t sit right.

“I kept thinking, why are we still using technology that dates back to Benjamin Franklin?” he said.

The constant hassle of putting on and taking off glasses quickly became a frustration. Imagine driving—glasses on to read the GPS, glasses off to focus on the road. It was a never-ending cycle.

A Modern Solution to an Age-Old Problem

Instead of accepting the inconvenience, Mastrangelo decided to create something better. Enter smart glasses—a pair of specs that automatically adjust focus depending on what you’re looking at. No more on-again, off-again with your reading glasses. These smart glasses, first showcased at CES a few years ago, use liquid lenses that change shape to provide clear vision, whether you’re glancing at a book or looking out at the horizon.

Here’s how they work: A tiny sensor in the bridge of the glasses measures the distance between your eyes and whatever you’re looking at, then tells the lenses to adjust their curvature. This change in curvature mimics what healthy, young eyes do naturally—switching focus from near to far in the blink of an eye. And with a battery life that lasts over 24 hours, you can wear them all day without worrying about charging.

Looking Ahead: Lighter, Sleeker, and Smarter

Since the early prototypes, Mastrangelo and his team have been working on making these glasses more user-friendly. The initial design was a bit bulky, but they’ve been hard at work slimming them down and making them look more like the stylish frames people actually want to wear. Plus, they’re adding cool new features like eye tracking and depth sensing, which will make the focus adjustment even more precise.

But here’s where it gets even more exciting: A Japanese company called Vixion is taking this idea to the next level. Their upcoming product, the Vixion01, is set to hit the market in the next couple of years, and it promises to blend cutting-edge technology with a design that looks as good as it functions.

UK Innovation in Focus

While developments in the US and Japan are making headlines, it’s worth noting that the UK is also making significant strides in this area. Companies here are actively contributing to the evolution of vision correction technology. For instance, research and innovation into autofocus lenses for presbyopia—similar to those in Mastrangelo’s smart glasses—are gaining traction. A great example is covered in EyeSeeMag, which highlights how the UK is embracing high-tech solutions to tackle age-related vision problems.

The UK has long been a hub for medical and technological innovation, and the work being done here in smart eyewear is no exception. As the market for advanced vision solutions grows, expect to see more British companies making their mark with innovative designs that could compete with global players like Vixion.

What This Means for You

So, what does all this mean for the millions of us tired of fumbling with reading glasses? It means that in just a few short years, you could have a pair of smart glasses that automatically adjusts to your vision needs, whether you’re reading a book, checking your phone, or driving down the highway.

Sure, they might cost between £400 to £800 when they first launch, but think about the convenience. No more swapping glasses or squinting to see the fine print. Mastrangelo sums it up perfectly: “Our smart autofocus eyeglasses can compensate for the focusing loss of the eye, so most people can see sharp images all the time. They’re worth the price.”

As smart glasses like the Vixion01 get closer to becoming a reality and with the UK’s ongoing contributions to this technology, the future of vision correction looks clearer than ever. Whether you’re excited about ditching your reading glasses or just curious about the latest tech, one thing is for sure: these smart specs are about to change the way we see the world.

Research on the smart glasses was published in the journal Optics Express.