SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Google has announced that its wearable Google Glass will now come with prescription lenses after consistent requests from 'Explorers', a term the company uses for those selected to try Glass.
The frames will cost $225 in addition to the $1,500 fee to get into the Explorer program. The titanium frames will come in four styles -- Bold, Curve, Thin, and Split -- as well as two tinted shades called Classic and Edge, which are a little cheaper at $150.
In addition to the original frames and shades offered by Glass, buyers will now have up to 40 different combinations of styles, frames and shades to choose from.
"We think they'll accommodate most people's tastes. Anybody who is familiar with the process of getting [an eyeglasses] prescription filled will be familiar with how you get prescription Glass," said Glass product director Steve Lee.
Related
Another major development for Glass was the announcement of a deal with VSP, the nation's largest eye care insurer, to subsidize the cost of the frames and lenses. VSP will reimburse members based on their plan and expect average reimbursements to be up to $120, plus the cost of buying the prescription lenses. The company will not reimburse the computer portion of the cost.
According to Jim McGrann, president of VSP VisionCare, they have been in talks with Google for over a year regarding providing coverage to the Glass. He also they are also educating eye doctors to help people who own Google Glass to have it properly fitted for their eyes.
[Google Glass] [CNET] [NYT]
