If you’re wondering what those prescription lenses for Google Glass will cost, Rochester Optical has come through with an answer. The company, which is set to bring custom lenses to Glass frames, is noting via the Glass Explorers community on Google their pricing will start at $99. Perhaps more exciting is that preorders will start “shortly after” CES 2014, which ends January 10th.
Rochester sent out a questionnaire last week, which was an attempt to gauge what users would be looking for in custom lenses. Users were asked about materials, tinting, and all manner of options we’d get with normal lenses at an optometrist. Users are also given the option to choose the shape of the lenses, making for a truly unique experience.
Google has also committed to bring prescriptions to Glass, but theirs is a different process altogether. For them, the tech will be moved to another frame, which has its own set of give and take. On one hand, we get the frames we may want for daily use. On the other, it might be best to simply bring customization to Glass, rather than tech to existing eyewear.
Rochester hasn’t made clear how their lenses will sit with Glass, which is something we pondered on announcement. Their representative noted a “lens carrier/frames” assembly, but offered no additional details. They could simply create a prescription version of the clear shield which comes with Glass, or have another method altogether. The mock-up seen above seems to show lenses sitting in the Glass frame, but that’s not something that can easily be done with Glass, so we’re not sure what will happen. Rochester is saying all they need is your prescription, and there is no dismantling of Glass that needs to occur. We do know the price seems to be right, and prescription lenses have long been desired by Glass enthusiasts, so we’ll be excited to see what’s on offer after CES.
