EssilorLuxottica and Meta Launch Prescription-Ready AI Glasses as Smart Eyewear Push Goes Global

New optical-first Ray-Ban Meta styles signal a major shift toward integrating AI wearables into everyday dispensing practice

EssilorLuxottica and Meta have announced a significant expansion of their AI glasses portfolio, introducing two new prescription-compatible styles that could reshape how eyecare professionals approach the emerging smart eyewear category.

The Ray-Ban Meta Blayzer Optics (Gen 2) and Scriber Optics (Gen 2) are designed from the ground up for prescription wearers, supporting single-vision, progressive and Transitions lenses; a meaningful step forward for eyecare professionals (ECPs) who have until now had limited options when counselling patients interested in AI-enabled eyewear.

According to the press release, the frames bring notable ergonomic refinements over their predecessors, including a slimmer profile, interchangeable nose pads, overextension hinges with an additional 10° of rotation, and adjustable temple tips. A dedicated action button provides single-press access to Meta AI, enabling hands-free content capture and personalised shortcuts.

“We achieved the unimaginable with Meta, building an AI glasses category from the ground up, cultivating demand and desire, and giving consumers a gateway to the future that fits seamlessly and beautifully on their faces. Yet still, the real journey is in front of us. By pioneering AI glasses specially engineered for prescription wearers, adding Meta’s AI enhancements and expanding distribution, we are taking a significant leap forward, bringing the industry and millions of new consumers with us,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO at EssilorLuxottica.

Relevance for dispensing opticians

For practices looking to expand their product offering, the compatibility with progressive lenses and Transitions is particularly noteworthy. The Ray-Ban Meta range can now serve a far broader patient base, including presbyopes and those requiring photochromic correction; demographics that previously fell outside the product's reach.

The Oakley Meta Vanguard, meanwhile, is receiving Transitions lenses for the first time, combined with Oakley's Prizm lens technology to enhance colour and contrast. This positions the sports-oriented product more firmly within the scope of an optical dispensing consultation rather than purely as a consumer electronics purchase.

AI capabilities expanding

Beyond the hardware, Meta is rolling out new software features across its AI glasses range. Live Translation now extends to Japanese, Mandarin and Arabic, joining existing language support. New hands-free food logging and nutrition tracking features have also been added, activated via voice prompt or photo, alongside message summarisation. The glasses are powered by a 12 MP camera, 3K video recording and a six-microphone array for noise reduction.

Distribution: Australia included at launch

Australian ECPs and retailers will have access to the new models from 14 April, with EssilorLuxottica confirming distribution through its wholesale network and select optical retail locations across Australia and a broad list of other markets.

Pre-orders open in the US today, 31 March, ahead of the wider retail launch. Suggested entry pricing is set at USD $499 / EUR €469 for both the Blayzer Optics and Scriber Optics (Gen 2).

The collection will also extend to new markets later this year, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Chile, Peru and Colombia, reflecting the partnership's ambition to build out a genuinely global distribution footprint.