Augmented reality (AR) technologies are currently seeing some of the widest mainstream adoption. As a result, its global market valuation is expected to grow by over 33% from this year until 2032. What has set AR apart from other mixed reality innovations and helped it reach this success is its ability to merge virtual assets in the real world seamlessly.
For instance, in the sporting world, AR is being utilized as a means of reimagining fan interactions. Using everyday smart tools, AR can take fans on activities such as virtual tours, interactive replays, and 3D stat realizations. Of course, as mentioned earlier, these unique capabilities are being explored in countless industries.
This includes the eye care sector, which is no stranger to being an early adopter of emerging tech in the hopes of enhancing consumer convenience, audience engagement, and eyewear appeal. Currently, this market is responsible for some of the most diverse and valuable AR applications to better the overall landscape. Here are a few notable ways how:
Improved retail customer journeys
Amid the growing demand for eyewear, online sales revenue is estimated to be around an impressive $30 billion in 2024 alone. One of the reasons why eyewear e-commerce has taken off as well as it has is because of its use of helpful AR. This is showcased by the retailer LensCrafters which offers its own virtual try-on tool when you shop for glasses online. By using their virtual try-on tool, remote shoppers can simply use their preferred device to scan their faces and then “try on” various eyewear options, from the stylish, translucent Ray-Ban RB5421 Optics frames to the chic and sleek Oliver Peoples Rafkin. Sometimes called a virtual mirror tool, this overlays specs and sunnies at the right scale in real time. The retailer also has a Frame Advisor tool that analyzes your face shape, size, and facial features and recommends a personalized selection of frames. This ensures consumers are better informed, so their transactions are more likely to push through and not end up in an abandoned cart or a return. As this also allows consumers to feel more satisfied with their eyewear, it bodes well for those who need them specifically for vision correction and protection.
Enhanced medical outcomes
To date, about 2.2 billion people worldwide have some level of vision impairment. In light of this, the need for more ocular health interventions continues to grow. AR is playing an increasingly big role here as it’s used for both practitioners and patients. To elaborate, AR headsets for simulated learning are becoming common for doctors. These allow healthcare providers to gain a better hands-on experience, as they can better grasp the context and nuances of the care they need to offer. Similarly, some practitioners have used AR headsets, such as Oculenz, to treat eye patients. Specifically, those with age-related macular degeneration have enjoyed better functional vision thanks to how the technology improves the detail in their surroundings without overly stressing the eyeball. In time, AR may help improve general ocular outcomes via vision assistance and better training.
Immersive daily user experiences
Even for those who use eyewear, like prescription glasses, on the regular, AR has much to offer. In particular, there is a lot of evidence that suggests AR can support the daily needs of those otherwise struggling with poor vision. For instance, Ray-Ban Meta is expected to release a new AR upgrade. With this, their existing smart specs will receive an in-lens display upon which virtual assets can be projected. This has many uses. However, it can be especially interesting for those with low vision. Because the images are displayed right in front of the eyes, it may be easier to consume a variety of content that would otherwise be hard to take in visually. As this solution becomes more sophisticated, it can ensure users are able to immerse in their surroundings better, making it a valuable boon for inclusivity and accessibility.
In conclusion
Considering how versatile AR technology is, especially in the realm of eye wellness, we’re likely to see more uses introduced in the near future. As it is, there is already research going into how this innovation may be directly used for optical treatments, such as vision therapy. However, for AR to be more common in the mainstream, industry leaders need to work on more ways to allow for public consumption. At the moment, most ocular clients have limited access to the tools and devices needed to enjoy any sort of mixed reality. As such, if the eye care industry plans to continue reaping the benefits of AR, it’s critical that it find more ways to improve its accessibility to the masses.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].