Are Meta smart glasses useful for people with low vision or blindness?

Affordability and design matter

On first impression one of the biggest differences between Meta’s glasses and traditional assistive tech is the price. While some wearable devices built for blind users can cost between $6,000 and $8,000, Meta glasses sit at a much more accessible price point.

“They also look like regular sunglasses or eyeglasses,” Ben notes. “That alone makes a significant difference - people might feel more comfortable wearing them, and they blend into everyday life. This mainstream appeal may help reduce the stigma that can be associated with assistive technology, particularly in public or professional settings.

A mainstream device with some accessible uses

Meta’s smart glasses weren’t designed specifically for people with low vision and blindness - they’re built for general consumers who want to take photos, listen to music, or livestream without using their hands. Still, Ben sees promise.

“These aren’t assistive devices, but they do have features that can be helpful,” he says. “The Be My Eyes integration is especially good. You can get live support from a volunteer using the camera in the glasses - and that’s all hands-free.”

The built-in Meta AI can also respond to simple voice commands like “What’s in front of me?” offering short, general descriptions of your surroundings.

“It’s not detailed,” Ben explains. “But it can give you a bit of context - enough to be used for some limited identification or general awareness. You can also ask the glasses to read any print that’s in view of the camera, but it’s still a little tricky if you want whole documents or menus read word-for-word,” says Ben.

Live interpretation of your surroundings is on the tech horizon, but Meta is not offering it in Australia at this stage. And while it’s promising, it drains battery quickly. “You’ll get 20 to 30 minutes out of it if you’re running that kind of function. That’s not practical if you’re relying on it for long stretches. It is also really important to note that AI does make mistakes in general, so always keep that in-mind and do not rely on them for orientation and mobility.”

Limitations to keep in mind

Ben is careful to balance his enthusiasm with being mindful that “this isn’t something you’d want to rely on for mobility or detailed visual information,” he says. “It’s not a substitute for a cane or trained guide dog. I don’t want people to think they can ditch their cane and just ask their glasses what’s ahead,” he says. “It’s not there yet”. He urges people not to confuse future potential with current reality. “It’s a mainstream product with some accessibility features - not a blindness-specific tool at this stage.”

For many people with low vision, especially those who are older or newly diagnosed, existing tools may still offer more value. “Your smartphone already has excellent accessibility features and free apps like Seeing AI or Be My Eyes, which give better information than the Meta glasses can provide at this stage, they’re built specifically for people with blindness or low vision.” Ben explains.

Battery life is another consideration. Using features like live video support or the hotly anticipated continuous AI descriptions can drain the battery quickly. And while the glasses are intuitive once set up, the initial setup process - which includes pairing with your phone, enabling Bluetooth, and navigating app permissions may be fiddly for less tech-confident users.

Who might benefit?

For people who are blind and already comfortable using apps like Be My Eyes, Meta glasses could offer genuine convenience. Tasks like making calls, capturing video, or getting real-time help from a volunteer or friend become easier with a hands-free device.

For people with moderate low vision, the benefit might be less apparent. “If someone still uses their vision for most tasks - like reading or navigating - they might not use the AI features often,” Ben says. “In that case, they’d be using the glasses much like anyone else would for hands-free music, calls, or quick photos. Also worth noting is that while “The tech is great - if someone finds smartphones tricky, they may not enjoy setting these up.”

So… should you try them?

Like any emerging technology, the answer depends on your needs, comfort with tech, and expectations.

Ben’s advice is to approach smart glasses as an addition, not a replacement. “They can be a helpful tool in the right context,” he says, “but I’d be concerned if someone thought they could leave their cane at home and rely on the glasses alone. They’re not there yet.”

He also encourages people to explore the free accessibility features already built into smartphones - and the apps designed specifically for people with low vision or blindness - before investing in wearable devices. “You have to have a smartphone to use the Meta glasses, so you’d might as well see if your phone will do the job first,” Ben explained.

Potential, not perfection

There's real potential in this space, and Meta's glasses are a promising step forward. For now, they're best seen as a useful companion to your smartphone - not a standalone solution.

"They're affordable, discreet, and improving all the time," Ben says. "Just keep your expectations realistic. Try them if you're curious - but don't expect them to do everything."

Note:

This article focuses on Meta smart glasses due to their current availability and interest among clients. We’ve chosen not to compare other smart glasses in detail, as many are no longer supported, difficult to access in Australia, or shifting away from vision-related functionality. Our goal is to offer clear, balanced information on the tools people are actively asking about. If you've found any new assistive technology useful or would like us to review a particular product, we'd love to hear from you.