The global wearables market is projected to grow to nearly $100 billion by 2029 – a compound annual growth rate of 17.3%. Within the wearables category, smart glasses are quickly moving from a niche product to the mainstream, fueled by advancing technology and rising consumer demand.
As interest in smart glasses grows, vision benefits need to evolve as employee expectations change. For benefits advisors and consultants, these shifting expectations create three focus areas for building awareness and adapting benefits strategies:
· Understanding how smart glasses are evolving for everyday use
· Recognizing the role smart glasses can play in overall health and accessibility
· Guiding benefits plan design changes to meet workforce needs
From novelty to mainstream
Smart glasses are making the leap from specialty gadgets to practical, everyday eyewear. In only a few years, the technology has moved from video streaming, photos and communication to artificial intelligence (AI) assistance, wellness tracking, language translation, and more.
“The technology has changed where we think the future is going,” says Jason Rome, Chief Commercial Officer at EyeMed. “You can be on a call, listen to music, or get real-time translations – all without holding a device. When you pair the technology with prescription lenses and fashionable frames, you can see why people predict a future where glasses replace computers.”
The combination of style and function is driving adoption. Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have sold more than two million pairs since 2023, with production capacity ramping up to 10 million annually by 2026.
Supporting health and accessibility
Smart glasses are evolving into tools that enhance broader health and accessibility needs. Beyond vision correction and wellness tracking, advances in the technology enable eyewear to monitor health and improve daily function.
One example is hearing-enabled glasses that capture and enhance audio while screening out background noise – all gaze-directed through the lenses.
“We expect the integration of this type of hearing enhancement technology to significantly boost interest in smart glasses,” says John Lahr, O.D., Senior Medical Director at EyeMed. “Three in four people who have hearing deficiency ignore it and try to get by without aid. This technology, which works for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, offers a discreet alternative for people who may not want a traditional hearing aid.”
Smart glasses can also be an affordable alternative to specialized assistive devices for people with low vision, offering AI-powered object recognition, real-time navigation support and remote visual assistance.
Other innovations in development will strengthen the vision-wellness connection, such as contact lenses designed to monitor intraocular pressure for glaucoma or measure blood sugar through tear fluid.
Guiding plan design changes
For advisors, staying ahead of the curve means recommending vision benefits that keep pace with technological changes.
Along with evaluating benefit levels and frame and contact lens allowances to reduce member out-of-pocket costs as much as possible, making sure members have access to smart frame options through their provider networks is critical.
“When vision plans make advanced eyewear available and affordable, employees place greater value on their vision coverage — and brokers strengthen their role as strategic partners,” Rome says.
As smart glasses move into the mainstream, these devices will significantly expand how employees use eyewear – and their vision benefits. Advisors, in partnership with forward-thinking carriers, can help educate employers on the value of vision benefits and ensure plans adapt to future innovations.
Discover how EyeMed helps you and your clients see what’s possible: eyemed.com/focusforward
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