Day Zero to Two: Trying On, Buying, and Setting Up My Smart Glasses

The first three entries in the 100 Days to Clarity series, covering the lead-up to actually starting the trial: trying the glasses on, buying them, and getting them set up. Day Zero: Trying them on. I visit the store to try the Meta Ray-Bans for the first time, feeling apprehensive about explaining my needs to the shop assistant. Handed a leaflet I would normally have no way to read without a magnifier or my phone camera, I ask the glasses to read it aloud and I describe the moment as overwhelming, close to tears, at finally being able to just hold a piece of paper and access it like anyone else. I also test the glasses on wall posters with the same result. I leave the store without even checking how the glasses look on me, already thinking about the technology's potential and planning to bring my husband back to ask the questions I hadn't thought to. Day One: Buying them. I return with clearer questions and try on different styles and lens options. With no prescription, I choose transition lenses (light-reactive between outdoor glare and indoor use) in the Headliner style, black frames. I test reading an optician's card of varying font sizes, the glasses read down to the second-smallest line and I learn about the other features on offer: photo, video, music, and translation. I buy the glasses, in a case that doubles as a charger. Day Two: Setting them up. The real starting point of daily use. Setup involves a QR code, the Meta companion app, and because small zoomed-in phone text is hard for me to navigate independently, some help from my husband. I note the setup isn't fully complete yet, but enough to begin. First real test: music, played through the glasses' speakers, which let me hear my surroundings at the same time, a safety advantage over noise-cancelling headphones on walks. One caveat: people nearby can hear the music too, depending on volume. Also in this episode: The reminder that this series reflects my personal experience with my own visual impairment, not a universal recommendation An invitation to get in touch if you're using, or considering, similar technology yourself Get in touch: [email protected]