Smart glasses are moving up from a novelty to a high street essential in the space of a couple of years, and we’re pleased to be adding Meta smart glasses to our range. Built-in cameras, hands-free audio and an AI assistant are now sitting comfortably alongside classic frame shapes, and it’s a exciting addition for anyone who wants their glasses to do a bit more. Here’s what the technology actually offers, how prescriptions fit into the picture, and a few sensible things to know as you get to grips with a new pair.

What Meta glasses actually are

The current line-up covers a few different products, all made under Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear group behind Ray-Ban and Oakley. Ray-Ban Meta (now in its second generation) looks like a normal pair of Ray-Bans but has a built-in camera, speakers and microphones, letting the wearer take photos and video, make calls, listen to music and talk to Meta’s AI assistant, all hands-free. Oakley Meta Vanguard applies the same idea to a sports frame built for runners and cyclists, prioritising a secure fit, sweat resistance and music or coaching prompts over a screen.

Now part of the range

Meta smart glasses have already found their way onto the UK high street through opticians such as Boots and Vision Express, sold alongside a normal eye test and fitting rather than through a tech shop, and we’re glad to be able to offer them too. It’s a fast-moving category, and we’ll keep the range updated as more styles and stock become available.

Who they’re actually useful for

The appeal is practical once you see it in daily use. Dog walkers and cyclists get music or a call without fishing a phone out of a pocket. Parents get their hands free while still being able to snap a photo the moment it happens, rather than a few seconds later once the phone is unlocked. Commuters get turn-by-turn directions or a podcast without a wire or an earbud that needs charging separately. None of it replaces a phone, but it removes a lot of the small, fiddly moments where a phone is inconvenient to reach for.

Getting a prescription fitted

This is often the first question, and the answer is reassuring: yes, prescriptions and smart features work together. The frames use a secure lens system, so single vision, varifocal, tinted or high-index lenses can be fitted to your exact prescription without losing the camera or audio functionality. As with any new pair of glasses, the two things that matter most are an accurate, up to date prescription and a frame that fits comfortably for all day wear, so it’s worth booking an eye test first if you haven’t had one recently.

A category that’s growing fast

Meta smart glasses have already found a home on the UK high street through opticians such as Boots and Vision Express, and analysts covering Meta and its manufacturing partner EssilorLuxottica expect the category to keep growing through 2026, with more frame styles and features on the way. That’s good news for anyone thinking about trying a pair now: it’s a mainstream, well supported product rather than a niche gadget, with proper opticians standing behind the fit, the prescription and the aftercare.

A quick word on privacy

Because the camera is built into the frame rather than held up like a phone, it’s worth knowing how to use it considerately, particularly as some UK venues, including certain courts, pubs and theatres, have introduced their own house rules this year about filming without permission. In practice this just means being mindful of where and who you’re recording, the same courtesy you’d extend with any camera, and switching the camera off where a venue asks. It’s a small adjustment, and one most wearers get used to within the first few outings.

Why it’s worth trying

Whether you want hands-free photos on a walk, music on the commute, or simply want to see what the fuss is about, Meta smart glasses bring genuinely useful features to a pair of glasses you’d wear anyway, without asking you to compromise on your prescription or your style. Take a look at the range and get in touch if you’d like help choosing the right frame and lens combination for you.