The End of Optometry As We Know It

The selected readings for this week cover a variety of innovations in a wide array of fields around the globe, ranging from Education to Energy.  One of these particularly struck a chord with me: the self-adjusting eyeglasses presented in Honor Whiteman’s article “Self-Adjustable Eyeglasses: How One Man's Vision Is Helping Others to See Better.”

Firstly, I was struck by the simplicity of the glasses.  As stated, the concept of self-adjusting glasses was first proposed in 1879, but was not actually realized until 1985, when Joshua Silver was asked if he could create an adjustable focus lens. “My initial response was ‘no,’… Then I said, ‘oh yes,’ and I made one that afternoon, and I've still got it.”[1] It only took someone questioning the way things were traditionally done to create a product that has the potential to change countless lives. The glasses, called Adspecs, as well as more recent models, are easily produced; the only roadblock to making them completely accessible to all in developing countries is the cost of production (and, therefore, the price). Through continued testing, the glasses are becoming less and less expensive to produce, but are still above Silver’s stated goal of $1 per pair.[2]

As I continued reading, I could not help thinking of my own family. Just three years ago, my father’s eyesight deteriorated so much that he had to undergo the Lasik procedure. Though successful at first, his vision has once again quickly deteriorated since then, almost as if he had never undergone the pricey surgery. I know that my family would have appreciated a low-cost alternative to Lasik, especially considering its volatile results – which led me to consider accessibility of the self-adjusting glasses to consumers in countries like the US. What would be the consequences to tapping into a market of individuals who often do have access to optometric care, with regards to price and accessibility to the product in developing countries? And, as Whiteman asks in his article, “Would self-adjustable eyewear work in such countries? And would opticians be willing to sell such a product?”[3]

It’s interesting to see what technologies have emerged since the unveiling and implementation of these glasses, some of which may be more fitting for a market of individuals in developed countries. One example is Deep Optics’ self-adjusting lens, which would use the same basic idea as Silver’s lenses (a liquid layer between lenses which shifts to refocus the viewer’s eyes), but would adjust focus nearly automatically thanks to an internal processor.[4] Though this is only a prototype for now, similar products could ultimately open self-adjusting lenses to a market that can afford more than just the bare basics. In fact, similar products, such as dial-adjustable glasses, are already available in stores such as Walmart and on sites like eBay for an affordable price. For example, Walmart offers “Adlens Adjustables Unisex Variable Focus Eyewear” for only $23.97.[5] It may not be anywhere near Silver’s proposed $1 mark, but it’s a start.

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[1] Whiteman, Honor. "Self-Adjustable Eyeglasses: How One Man's Vision Is Helping Others to See Better." Medical News Today. November 12, 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302550.php.

[2] Whiteman, Honor. "Self-Adjustable Eyeglasses: How One Man's Vision Is Helping Others to See Better." Medical News Today. November 12, 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302550.php.

[3] Whiteman, Honor. "Self-Adjustable Eyeglasses: How One Man's Vision Is Helping Others to See Better." Medical News Today. November 12, 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302550.php.

[4] Metz, Rachel. "Glasses that Continuously Adjust their Focus May Help Aging Eyes and Virtual-Reality Lovers, Too." MIT Technology Review. March 09, 2016. https://www.technologyreview.com/s/600963/eyeglasses-that-can-focus-themselves-are-on-the-way/.

[5] Pickles, and Myhtc. "Adlens Adjustables Unisex Variable Focus Eyewear." Walmart.com. December 28, 2016. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Adlens-Adjustables-Unisex-Variable-Focus-Eyewear/47508978?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1148&adid=22222222227034814389&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=75441871714&wl4=pla-175429448434&wl5=9005925&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562587&wl11=online&wl12=47508978&wl13=&veh=sem.