Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses helping the blind — Over 1 million sold in 2024 (2025)

Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms, didn’t create its advanced glasses specifically for people with visual impairments. But an increasing number of blind users are finding the glasses more helpful as a life-improving tool than just a trendy gadget.

A recent report cites various examples of blind people using the glasses and providing positive feedback.

How Meta’s smart glasses aid in everyday activities

Allison Pomeroy, a 49-year-old from Warsaw, Indiana, recently bought a pair of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and they’ve reportedly made a difference in her daily life.

Pomeroy lost most of her vision two years ago. Her husband used to read menus, signs and other text to her, but now the glasses do that for her, according to the report in The Wall Street Journal.

The built-in voice assistant helps her with various tasks, such as getting dressed, preparing meals, sorting laundry and even reading books to her 3-year-old granddaughter.

She also often uses the glasses to check the time and temperature.

Meta’s AI-powered Ray-Ban glasses offer object recognition

Jonathan Mosen, an executive director at the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, who is blind and owns a pair of Meta glasses, said that the glasses offer significant accessibility benefits at an affordable price and expressed hope that Meta would continue to invest in them.

Orlando Johnson, 49, lost his sight ten years ago and struggled to find affordable smart glasses that met his needs until he discovered Meta’s glasses last year.

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Before getting the glasses, Johnson, from Las Vegas, was afraid to walk alone, worried about getting lost or being hit by a car. But now, the glasses can identify and describe most objects, even recognising details like the difference between diet and regular soda. He said the glasses have been life-changing.

Meta’s smart glasses gain popularity with AI-powered features

Meta’s glasses initially struggled to gain popularity but have become more widely used. They are a major part of the company’s hardware plans and were featured in a Super Bowl commercial. But Meta’s Reality Labs unit, which manages the glasses and its virtual- and augmented-reality products, reported losses of nearly $5 billion in the last quarter.

At a recent meeting, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that over one million Ray-Ban glasses were sold in 2024. Research firm IDC states that Meta leads the US smart-glasses market, followed by Amazon.

Critics weigh in on Meta smart glasses

Some critics, however, warn that blind users may face risks with smart glasses not designed as health products. John-Ross Rizzo, a professor at New York University’s School of Medicine who is blind and studies assistive technology, believes more research is needed on using everyday gadgets to ensure user safety.

Another issue is that AI assistants can make mistakes, known as "hallucinations," which may not be obvious to users.

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Aaron Preece, blind and editor-in-chief of AccessWorld magazine, said that Meta’s glasses recently failed to read the number on his front door.

FAQs:

1. Are there any products in the market similar to the Meta smart glasses that are designed for the blind?
There are several tech products designed specifically for the blind, such as the Victor Reader Stream, a device that reads books, newspapers, and more aloud. The Dot Pad allows users to interact with visual information through touch. Another option is Envision, a brand of smart glasses with software made for blind and low-vision users.

2. What is the Be My Eyes app?
The Be My Eyes app is a free mobile app that connects blind or visually impaired users with sighted volunteers via video call.