November 13, 2025 - EyeClarity Blog
By Dr. Sam Berne
Augmented glasses—also called *AR glasses* or *augmented reality eyewear*—are rapidly becoming the next frontier in personal technology. These devices overlay digital information onto the real world, blending physical and virtual environments into a single visual experience. While this technology has extraordinary potential, especially for navigation, education, medicine, and communication, it also raises critical eye-health questions—especially for people who already struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or binocular vision problems.
What Exactly Are Augmented Glasses?
Augmented glasses use tiny displays integrated into the lenses or the frame to project digital images, symbols, or data into your field of view. Instead of staring at a phone, laptop, or headset, the digital layer appears directly in front of your eyes—hands-free, immersive, and interactive.
They work using a combination of:
* Micro-LED or OLED displays
* Waveguide optics
* Cameras and sensors
* AI processors
* Gesture or voice-based controls
Essentially, AR glasses turn your real-world environment into a dynamic digital dashboard.
Who Is Making Them? Leading Companies in the AR Race
Several major tech players and innovative startups are competing to bring AR glasses to the mainstream:
1. Apple (Apple Vision Pro & future Apple Glasses)
Apple’s Vision Pro is the gateway, and rumors are strong about lightweight Apple AR glasses coming next. Apple’s ecosystem and design may make AR widely accepted.
2. Meta (formerly Facebook)
Meta is developing AR glasses as part of its metaverse strategy, focusing on social interaction, gaming, and workplace productivity.
3. Google
Google Glass was the first mainstream attempt at AR. New enterprise-focused versions are emerging with stronger visual computing capabilities.
4. Microsoft (HoloLens)
Microsoft’s HoloLens is primarily used in medicine, engineering, and industrial settings, offering powerful hands-free visualization.
5. Snap & Smaller Innovators
Snap’s Spectacles and various startups are pushing lightweight, fashion-forward AR wearable tech.
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What Can Augmented Glasses Do?
The possibilities are vast, including:
* Hands-free navigation and directions
* Multilingual translation in real time
* Task guidance (recipes, repairs, medical procedures)
* Virtual screens that float in front of you
* Enhanced gaming and entertainment
* Facial recognition cues
* Health monitoring
* Workplace training
* Educational overlays
This technology could make everyday life faster, more informed, and more connected.
But Here’s the Eye-Health/Functional Vision Side No One Is Talking About
As a behavioral and functional optometrist, I see another side to AR adoption.
If your visual foundation is weak, augmented glasses may increase eye and brain stress.
Why? Because AR forces your visual system to do TWO tasks at once:
1. Attend to real-world depth and orientation
2. Attend to a digital overlay that may sit at a different focal distance
That simultaneous attention load can cause:
* **Eye strain**
* **Double vision**
* **Reduced depth perception**
* **Binocular vision fatigue**
* **Increased myopia progression** in already stressed eyes
* **Asthenopia** (eye pain or headache)
* **Brain confusion** from competing visual input
* **Difficulty focusing between real and virtual objects**
### **If you have:**
* Nearsightedness
* Farsightedness
* Astigmatism
* Convergence insufficiency
* A weak focusing system
* A history of visual fatigue
AR glasses may require *more* visual skills than you currently have.
Strengthen your visual system—eye teaming, focusing, tracking, and peripheral awareness—is essential *before* you rely on augmented visual technology.
MY TAKEAWAY
Augmented glasses are potent tools, but they also challenge our visual system in ways we’ve never experienced. Used consciously, they can improve productivity and connection. Used unconsciously—or with a stressed visual system—they may add unnecessary strain to the eyes and brain.
Your vision is not just in your eyes.
It is a *whole-body, whole-brain process*.
AR needs strong visual foundations.