A Big Rethink of Everyday Glasses

Smartglasses may dominate CES headlines, but everyday eyewear has stayed mostly unchanged for decades. IXI Glasses are trying to break that pattern. The company is developing autofocus lenses that adjust vision automatically, without bifocals or progressives.

The idea targets age-related farsightedness, which affects most people after 45. Instead of forcing users to tilt their heads or adapt to blended lenses, IXI Glasses change focus the moment your eyes do.

How IXI Glasses Actually Work

IXI Glasses rely on cameraless eye tracking. Small LEDs and photodiodes sit around the lens edges. These emit invisible infrared light and track subtle eye movements.

The system detects eye convergence when users look at nearby objects. Once detected, the lenses instantly adjust. This entire process uses just 4 milliwatts of power, far less than camera-based tracking.

Because there are no cameras involved, the glasses remain lightweight and visually normal.

Liquid Crystal Lenses Do the Heavy Lifting

The real innovation sits inside the lenses. IXI uses liquid crystal layers combined with a transparent conductive coating. When activated, the lens changes optical power almost instantly.

These layers are extremely thin. They can sit inside standard prescription lenses and also support astigmatism correction. The transition feels seamless, without visible zones or blur.

If the battery runs out, the glasses still work like normal prescription specs.

Battery, Design, and Daily Use

Most electronics sit in the front frame and near the hinges. The batteries are similar in size to those used in wireless earbuds. IXI says one charge should last a full day.

The charging port hides inside the left hinge. While charging disables use, the overall form remains practical. Early prototypes look similar in weight to traditional thick frames.

Beyond Vision Correction

IXI Glasses collect eye movement data. This allows tracking blink rate, gaze direction, and focus shifts. Over time, this data may help detect eye strain, dry eyes, posture habits, or attentiveness.

Future versions could even adjust prescriptions dynamically as eyes fatigue.

What Comes Next

IXI still needs medical approvals before launch. Manufacturing will happen with Swiss lens maker Optiswiss. The company plans to sell through opticians as a premium eyewear option.

A commercial launch is expected next year. If successful, IXI Glasses could redefine how people experience everyday vision correction.