At the “Beyond the Lens: How Smart Eyewear Will Redefine Opticianry” OptiCon General Session at Vision Expo, 2024 #EBGameChanger Cira Collins, MPH, ABOM, NCLEC, led a session on how smart eyewear is reshaping opticianry and how opticians can take a leadership role in this evolving trend. According to Collins, 4 in 10 consumers are considering purchasing smart eyewear in the next 12 months, drawn by its combination of utility and entertainment. Key purchasing factors include fit, comfort, durability, and battery life.
“Most frighteningly, however, 54% of them said that they would purchase their smart eyewear from a big box store,” she said. “But good news, 68% of the adult population needs [vision] correction. [Patients] are either going to purchase [smart eyewear] and bring it to you to service, or you're going to sell it.”
The panel included Harrison Groves, CEO and cofounder of Innovative Eyewear and creator of the Lucid Brand Eyewear and Verb app; Bai Gan, former chief product strategy officer at Benny Eyewear, current strategic advisor at XBHealth, and advisor and board member at Solos Technology; and Joshua Park, founder and CEO of Globe Biomedical.
Panelists defined smart eyewear broadly as glasses integrated with technology, enabling features such as access to artificial intelligence, Bluetooth audio, cameras, or augmented reality displays. Experts drew parallels to the evolution of smartwatches: Although they offer advanced capabilities, they remain glasses first, with technology enhancing—but not replacing—the core function.
The category is diversifying rapidly, the panelists agreed. Some smart glasses focus on ergonomics and reducing smartphone reliance, while others target eye health or specific conditions like low vision or myopia management. Many products incorporate modular designs or software development kits, allowing upgrades and specialized applications without compromising style or optical functionality.
“I really do think it does come down to the individual user,” Groves said. “We're going to see a huge proliferation of different types of smart glasses that address very specific user deficiencies.”
Panelists emphasized that while the category is expanding, successful products combine value-add, workflow integration for eyecare professionals, and consumer trust. “I call [eyewear] a recession-proof industry, Gan said. “People take their vision needs very seriously. I think they put it in front of a lot of other, maybe even medical, issues they have.”
Adoption Strategies
Experts agreed that smart eyewear adoption is still in its early stages, akin to the smartphone market in 2008. Although only a small percentage of consumers have tried smart glasses, that number is rising rapidly.
“Will there be space for everyone? No. Just like every industry, as it grows, eventually some people will get kicked out,” said Park. “The goal is getting it integrated into the offices as early as possible, because either you're going to control the field, or Amazon is going to control the field, and they're just going to sell to all your customers.”
The panel advised optical practices to:
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Engage early: Experiment with products, monitor trends, and familiarize staff with the category.
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Simplify offerings: Focus on a few high-impact features, like Bluetooth audio, for easier consumer education and faster adoption.
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Prepare for long-term growth: As technology improves, smart eyewear is expected to become a primary choice alongside—or even replacing—traditional frames.
By integrating smart eyewear thoughtfully, opticians can retain customer relationships, capitalize on recurring revenue, and ensure their practices remain relevant as consumer habits shift.