Some claim eyeglasses or sunglasses have not changed much over the years. Neither has the shopping experience. Well, opticians and eyewear companies beg to differ on this. This article will share how technology leads the eyewear industry new vision & top technological optical advancements.
Both eyeglasses and sunglasses have made their way into fashion, just like any other fashion accessory. In 2018, the value of the global eyewear market was estimated at 131.32 billion USD. It includes spectacles, sunglasses, and contact lenses. This growth supports that people expect more than just an arrangement of metal frames and curved lenses. And as technological advancements have touched every business, the eyewear industry is not a stranger to it. The sector has officially removed the “boring” tag from the glasses, ranging from clarity lenses to fitting a minicomputer on the frame.
Personalized Vision Solutions
One of the most significant advancements in eyewear technology is the ability to personalize vision correction to an unprecedented degree. With the advent of 3D printing and advanced lens manufacturing techniques, eyeglasses can now be customized to the individual’s prescription and their daily activities and preferences.
Adaptive lenses that adjust to varying light conditions, focus distances, and even enhance contrast for specific tasks are becoming more commonplace, providing a tailored vision experience like never before.
Things that are making a difference in your eyewear
When I was advised to wear spectacles in 2001, my mother was worried that the specs would distort my looks. That was when glasses were made with thick, round metal frames and lenses. But now, there are drastic changes.
The innovators have not only changed the design of the frames and lenses, but they have also tried to overcome other issues. For example, lens companies added an anti-glare material in the lenses to ease night driving. People have made it a style statement by wearing zero power lens glasses. In addition, if you need a better one, you should try to find one you could purchase from a great company.
Apart from prescription glasses, 83% of men and 89% of women in the US use sunglasses regularly. Depending upon their frame, there are options– Aviator, butterfly, Cat eye, Clubmaster, oval, rectangle, shield, round, square, and Wayfarer.
The material for the lens technology eyewear
Modern-day lenses are made of high-tech plastics instead of plain glass. It provides durability and makes them less fragile. Also, they are lightweight and shield the eyes for protection against harmful ultraviolet rays.
Crystal clear night vision and for rainy days – Polarised lenses
Most importantly, the lenses add an anti-glare feature to give clear vision underwater or during rain. An anti-reflective coating makes it easy to see in bright light, especially during driving. Keep reading this post to understand how technology leads the eyewear industry new vision & top technological optical advancements.
Omnifocals
Remember, your grandparents have a bifocal lens, i.e., lenses in one frame to help with farsightedness and short-sightedness. They were a little uneasy as it took some time to adjust between the two.
Omnifocal lenses with one smooth lens having a transparent liquid crystal that bends the light that passes through it. They are with a processing unit to determine the distance between the eye and the object under focus. With these, people can switch between two types of vision more swiftly and without focusing on one lens area.
Easy on your eyes technology eyewear
Around 64 percent of Americans have experienced digital eye strain due to the overuse of screen devices. It is the leading cause of retina damage and macular degeneration. Eyeglasses have a protective coating to protect your eyes against glare, reflections, and high-energy blue light emitting from digital screens. As a result, this is how technology leads to the eyewear industry new vision & top technological optical advancements.
Sports eyewear for athletes
The eyewear industry has a separate range of eyeglasses and sunglasses for sports enthusiasts. Their design and lens technology are sport-centric, like golf, cycling, water sports, winter sports, running, and more. Along with providing lenses with crystal clear and anti-glare vision, this eyewear also protects against sudden changes in light conditions, speed, and airborne particles.
Real-time try-on feature on online eyeglasses stores
According to a Statista survey, about 9.3% of prescription glasses in the United States were sold online in 2019. People can try different sunglasses frames on sites to choose the best suitable one based on their face shape.
Moreover, real-time glasses try-on features can use FitMix of HTML5. This try-on module provides a virtual mirror on the browser’s screen in real-time via webcam.
Customization
The power of 3D printing and the luxury of customization exist in the eyewear industry as well. People can order custom 3D printed frames fully tailored to fit their face or desired style.
Added augmented reality technology eyewear
The discussion of technology in the eyewear industry is incomplete without a mention of augmented reality. Smart glasses with AR functions provide visuals right in front of your eyes, on-demand, by connecting your glasses with your phone or other digital devices.
You can check your Email and make and receive phone calls. So, check messages, take pictures, listen to your playlist, and navigate places by looking at your wearable lenses.
The Future of Eyewear
Looking ahead, the possibilities are as limitless as the imagination. Concepts like contact lenses with micro-displays and health monitoring features are already in development.
These innovations promise a new vision for those who wear them and a new way of interacting with the world around us. As technology continues to evolve, the future of eyewear looks bright, with potential advancements that could one day make traditional eyeglasses as we know them a thing of the past.
Before taking your leave
The eyewear has put in a lot of effort and made strides in protecting your eyes, getting the right style, and improving the shopping experience. Whether your glasses are store-bought or you have ordered them online, the best part is that companies have much to offer.
The fusion of technology and eyewear is crafting a future where our glasses do more than correct vision; they enhance, protect, and seamlessly integrate with our digital lives. This new vision for the eyewear industry is not just about seeing better but living better, with technology at the forefront of this transformative journey. The view is spectacular as we look through the lens of innovation.