Cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) glasses are helping a visually impaired man regain his independence and return to work after sight loss.
The device, fitted with a discreet camera and tiny speakers, provides real-time audio descriptions of surroundings, turning what once seemed impossible into everyday reality.
Andy Evans, 57, from Larkhall near Bath, had to leave his night shift job at a Morrisons supermarket after being registered blind.
He said the technology has been “life-changing,” enabling him to read menus, identify obstacles, and navigate public spaces with greater ease.
Evans, who also relies on a white cane, explained that the glasses have improved his quality of life, giving him confidence to take on tasks he had once abandoned.
According to him, the innovation is not just about accessibility but about creating opportunities for people with visual impairments to remain active in work and society.
The Ray-Ban smart glasses by Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, are voice-activated and allow users to interact with built-in artificial intelligence to carry out tasks.
In the UK, wearers can even choose from a range of celebrity voices. Evans said he opted for Dame Judi Dench, who amusingly addresses him as “James Bond” and “007.”
He has since returned to work, supporting others living with sight loss through the Sight Support West of England charity.
Reflecting on his experience, Evans explained that the glasses have given him a new level of independence.
“What you can do is ask them to look and describe what’s happening around you. It’s life-changing technology,” he said.
Robin Spinks, Head of Inclusive Design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, described the device as a clear example of how technology is making “a real and tangible impact” for those who are blind or partially sighted.
Spinks, who is also registered blind, said he uses the glasses daily.
“Getting an instant description of a room, a scene on the beach, or even a zoo enclosure is truly transformational,” he noted.
He added that while artificial intelligence is advancing quickly and the smart glasses market is still in its early stages, the potential benefits for accessibility and independence are immense.