Dubai’s next big summer wearable? Smart sunglasses that think, protect, and perform

Dubai: Move over smartphones - smart sunglasses are the next big thing. With temperatures soaring and UV levels hitting extreme highs in Dubai’s long summer months, your eyes need more than just fashion—they need protection with a purpose.

Enter the new generation of AI-powered sunglasses: sleek, smart, and built for the Middle East sun. These aren’t just wearable tech—they’re a wellness tool for a region where sun exposure is a year-round reality.

Dubai’s relentless sun poses a serious health risk to your eyes. Prolonged exposure to intense UV rays in such extreme heat can lead to conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium, putting your vision at risk over time. As the temperature soars, protecting your eyes has never been more crucial.

That’s where these smart sunglasses like Ray-Ban Meta collection step in—offering UV-blocking lenses, digital eye relief, and next-level functionality. Snap photos, take calls, stream live, and chat with Meta AI—all while shielding your eyes from Dubai’s brutal sun. It’s not just eyewear—it’s eye care with an upgrade.

Fashion meets function

These high-tech shades are designed to do more than just shield your eyes:

Whether you're braving the midday sun at JBR, hiking through the Hatta mountains, or navigating a busy Deira souk, these smart glasses are your personal heat-proof, eye-protecting, AI-enhanced companion. In a city where summer never really ends, smart sunglasses could be the new sunscreen for your eyes.

Public reaction: curiosity, excitement… and caution

Ramaprasad Macharlu Srinivasamurthy, an Indian Manager of HR/Admin, sees Meta’s AI-powered sunglasses as a “vision” of the future unfolding. Living in the UAE, where the sun shines year-round, he knows that sunglasses are a must. “Around 80 per cent of people in the UAE wear sunglasses during summer,” he says, “but it drops to 30 per cent in winter. With Meta’s sunglasses, that’s about to change.”

The combination of AI and outdoor functionality in Meta’s sunglasses is a game-changer. "These aren't just sunglasses - they gather information, analyze data, and even answer calls hands-free. It’s a whole new level of convenience," Srinivasamurthy adds, seeing the growing demand for tech-driven wearables in daily life.

While the AI and outdoor features are a hit, Srinivasamurthy has reservations about the VR aspect. “Extended VR could cause eye strain and distract attention, especially for younger users. That’s where my hesitation lies.”

For Srinivasamurthy, sunglasses aren’t just about style - they’re essential for UV protection, preventing dust exposure, and keeping eyes from drying out. “A good pair of AI-powered sunglasses is a must-buy, not only for tech enthusiasts but for anyone who wants to keep their eyes protected while embracing the future of eyewear.”

Not just a vibe—needs to be viable

For Caitlyn Meyer, a 25-year-old South African freelancer in Dubai’s fast-paced marketing scene, the appeal of Meta’s smart sunglasses lies in their potential to break communication barriers - especially when you're off the beaten path.

“Honestly, the translation feature caught my eye immediately,” she says. “My boyfriend and I did a road trip across the Turkish Riviera, stopping in little towns between Marmaris and Antalya. In places where no one spoke English, we relied on Google Translate or used calculators just to figure out how much to pay. Something like Meta’s glasses could’ve saved us so much time - and stress.”

But Meyer is not swept away by the hype alone. She's cautiously optimistic. “I see this as Gen 1 tech - super promising, but not quite there yet. Right now, it feels more like a ‘first draft’. I’d rather wait it out for Gen 5, when the bugs are fixed and the features are truly optimized.”

One of her biggest hesitations? Real-world usability. “Features like GPS and navigation sound great, but if they lag or misfire, especially while driving or walking in a new city, it could be more frustrating than helpful. It has to feel seamless for real people, not just influencers creating content.”

When it comes to aesthetics, Meyer touches on a surprisingly overlooked issue: personal style. “Meta’s current frame options are pretty limited. Not everyone wants to wear the same pair of glasses - and I’ve skipped buying regular shades just because I didn’t like the frame. It seems small, but it’s not.”

As for the health benefits, she sees UV protection and eye strain relief as crucial - especially in the UAE’s scorching summer months. “We get UV indexes of 11 and 12 here, which is brutal not just for skin, but for eyes too. That said, I don’t see Meta sunglasses as all-day protective eyewear just yet - especially with only 4 to 6 hours of battery life.”

Her verdict? Intrigued, but waiting. “This is a smart product with massive potential,” she says. “But it’s not the finish line - it’s the starting point of something bigger.”

Future-forward, but privacy matters

For Eappen Elias, an Indian logistics manager in Dubai, Meta’s smart sunglasses represent more than just a gadget - they’re a glimpse into the future.

“I’m seriously considering buying a pair,” he says. “Hands-free high-res photos and videos? That’s a game-changer. The interactive AI feature is like wearing a piece of tomorrow.”

Elias is impressed with the blend of outdoor functionality and smart tech. “It’s not just about looking cool—it brings real functionality to everyday life.”

However, he has concerns. “Privacy is an issue when recording in public, and battery life could be a dealbreaker for me.”

When it comes to health, he’s on board. “UV protection is essential in the UAE, and for the price, these sunglasses are a steal compared to premium brands.”

For Elias, smart sunglasses balance innovation and practicality, ticking all the right boxes for a forward-thinking professional.

Expert take: What do eye specialists say?

We turned to Dr Soni Soman, Specialist Ophthalmologist at Aster Clinic, and Dr Sashwanti Mohan, Specialist Ophthalmologist at Medcare Eye Centre, to weigh in on the tech-health balance.

Dr Soman is no stranger to the buzz around smart glasses. While these tech-driven accessories are revolutionizing the way we interact with the world, Dr Soman offers a professional take on their impact—especially when it comes to eye health.

“Smart glasses, like Meta’s, blend augmented reality with traditional eyewear,” Dr Soman explains. “While they’re a huge leap for people with visual impairments, their impact on general eye health is still being explored.”

“These smart glasses shouldn’t impact presbyopia or nearsightedness any faster than traditional eyewear, as the technologies don’t alter the core visual function,” Dr Soman says, offering reassurance to users concerned about long-term effects.

With screen time on the rise, the blue light filter in smart glasses is a hot topic. “These filters, whether in smart or traditional glasses, help reduce eye strain from prolonged screen use,” she notes. However, she adds, “More research is needed to confirm the long-term benefits of blue light protection.”

“Prolonged use of smart glasses can lead to eye fatigue, burning, or twitching—symptoms similar to those caused by dry eyes from screen time,” Dr Soman cautions. Her advice? “A professional ophthalmic evaluation is key before and during use.”

While smart sunglasses offer UV protection - a must in sunny regions like Dubai - Dr Soman points out that digital displays could present new concerns. “The long-term effects of radiation from Wi-Fi, LEDs, and processing units need more research,” she says, stressing that the future of smart eyewear is still unfolding.

The verdict: Smart glasses may offer cutting-edge technology, but Dr Soman advises caution. “While their innovative features are undeniable, we’ll need more data to fully understand the health impacts over time.”

Dr Sashwanti Mohan highlights key health considerations for users. She explains the potential impact these devices could have on eye health, especially with extended use.

“Devices that promote prolonged close-up focus, especially with digital content, raise concerns about digital eye strain,” says Dr Mohan. “The immersive experience, while exciting, can worsen symptoms like eye fatigue, dryness, blurred vision and headaches, especially if users don’t take regular breaks or if the glasses aren’t calibrated for their specific eye distance.”

The dual-purpose design of the glasses—UV protection and digital content delivery—is promising, but Dr Mohan warns, “UV protection is essential for long-term eye health, preventing issues like cataracts and macular degeneration. But for digital protection, without blue light filtering or anti-reflective coatings, users could still experience eye fatigue, particularly in bright sunlight.”

“These glasses may normalize more screen time, which is concerning for eye strain and dryness,” she adds. “If Meta doesn’t add features like adaptive brightness, blue light filtering, ergonomic design, and prompts for screen breaks, they could contribute to visual fatigue rather than provide relief.”

For individuals with existing vision problems, Dr Mohan cautions that long-term use of augmented reality eyewear could exacerbate issues like light sensitivity, migraines, and dry eyes. “If you already have refractive errors or ocular surface disease, prolonged use could worsen symptoms like blurry vision or eye irritation.”

The verdict: While Meta’s smart sunglasses are an exciting technological leap, Dr Mohan stresses that the glasses need further refinement to protect eye health, urging customization for individual visual needs and clinical input to ensure long-term safety.

Final thought on smart glasses

Meta smart sunglasses aren’t just a peek into the future—they’re the future you can wear. Whether you’re a tech lover, fashionista, or just looking for more from your shades, these glasses demand a second look. So, will you rock AI on your face this summer? The world is watching—literally.