USA TODAY's Ed Baig reviews the 3Dfit iPad app from Glasses.com.
USA TODAY columnist Ed Baig demonstrates the Glasses.com 3Dfit iPad app. (Photo: Ed Baig, USA TODAY)
You try on several pairs of eyeglasses to see how the frames look on you from multiple angles. Only you're not actually wearing physical glasses but rather examining a lifelike 3D model of your own head on the iPad.
Or you are indeed wearing physical glasses. But by turning dials attached to the frame, you can alter the corrective power of the left and right lens, without having to consult an eye care professional.
I'm not outlining some futuristic vision on the state of eyewear. I'm talking about two new examples of how technology has changed the way you might purchase specs, not just in the future, but right now.
I'll focus on each separately.
* Glasses.com 3Dfit. Right off the bat, you can probably think of three very good reasons why you might be reluctant to buy glasses virtually using an iPad. For starters, you're not sure what the glasses will look like on you. But you also question how comfortable the frames will be to wear, and - most critically - how well you'll ultimately be able to see through them.
With its very cool new 3Dfit iPad app, Glasses.com has pretty well solved the how-you'll-look conundrum, and is addressing the other issues.
The company's proprietary 180-degree 3D facial mapping software lets you see how numerous frames look on your own mug in a realistic and fun manner.
Glasses from dozens of popular brands are available, and you can narrow your options by searching for regular glasses or sunglasses by type, colors, style and price. A price slider goes from zero to $400+.
You can compare up to four frames at a time in a single view, and tap on one of those views for a closer look. But these aren't stationary images. You can swipe to move the 3D rendering of your head from side to side to see how the glasses look from each perspective. The computer even generates the appropriate shadows under your eyes as you move. You can also swipe to "slide" frames up and down the bridge of your nose. You can even raise the arms of the frame to get a better peek behind you ears.
As you refine your choices, you can seek second opinions from family and friends by e-mailing or texting pictures of you wearing the virtual glasses, or by the sharing images on Facebook or Twitter.
In certain instances, Glasses.com (which is a division of 1-800 Contacts) will send you frames to try on at home before committing to buying them. The company also has a liberal return policy if the glasses don't feel right or the prescription needs to be adjusted. You'll still need a prescription from your eye doctor. And if glasses need to be adjusted over time, you'll have to get that done at a physical location.
Certain frames are bifocal eligible, but for now, you can't order reading glasses or prescription sunglasses through the app.
Glasses.com makes good use of narrated videos to get you started creating your online avatar. You're told to go to your bathroom where there is good lighting, and are instructed to pull any long hair behind your ears. You then place the back of your iPad flat against the mirror without trapping your fingers behind it. While the iPad records your face, you'll be instructed to avoid talking, smiling or showing your teeth, since doing so can distort the 3D model.
You'll then be directed to slowly move your head all the way left, back to center, then all the way right, and back to center again. After taking these steps, you're taken through a simple digital fitting, the final step before you're ready to "try on" the glasses.
When you're ready to buy, you can order through the app - Glasses.com says it'll take about two weeks to receive your glasses, with expedited shipping options available for an extra fee. Glasses.com claims their overall prices are cheaper than competitors.
I have to say, the free 3Dfit app is so much fun, it's worth trying out even if you're not shopping for new glasses. You'll get a great vision into the future of online shopping now. Glasses.com is working on an iPhone app, as well, and versions for the Android platform.
* Adlens. I don't expect Adlens set-your-own prescription lenses to put optometrists out of business. The Oxford, England, based company is selling its Variable Focus Eyewear through traditional eye-care channels. The appealing idea, though, is that you can adjust the power of each lens as you need to, within a range of -4.50 diopters to +3.50 diopters, at least for the round John Lennon-style glasses that I got to try out.
The idea is you might use these glasses for reading, or carry them around as a spare pair. But Adlens CEO Michael Ferrara is not suggesting that you skip a true eye exam, or even necessarily use these as your full-time glasses.
On the Lennon-style glasses ($100 on up), which frankly didn't look good on me, you change the power of the lenses by first rolling the dial at each edge of the frame all the way forward. You then cover your right eye, look at an object, and turn the left dial backwards until the object comes into focus. You repeat the process with the other eye. In simplified terms, a flexible membrane combined with fluid changes the lens power as you rotate the dial.
Once you're satisfied that you've reached the correct position, you can remove the dials, which makes the prescription you've set permanent and the glasses themselves slightly less odd-looking.
You can always leave dials on the frames if you want to continually make adjustments for different sets of environments, perhaps when you're reading a magazine as opposed to watching TV. But they'll look strange. Adlens sells other models based on a different technology that lets you continually adjust the strength of the lenses without looking as weird.
The bottom line: Glasses.com 3Dfit
www.glasses.com
Free iPad app. Eyeglass prices vary
Pro: iPad app is fun to use and great way to shop for glasses virtually using 3D model of your face.
Con: You still need to wear glasses to evaluate comfort and vision. No prescription sunglasses or reading glasses are available through app yet.
Adlens Variable Focus Eyewear
www.adlens.com
$100 on up (for Lennon style glasses)
Pro: Glasses whose lenses you can self-adjust, including the left and right lens independently.
Con: Round glasses won't look good on every face. Once you remove dials (on Lennon-style I tested), you cannot continue to adjust prescription. No sub for real eye exam.
E-mail: ebaig@usatoday.com; Follow @edbaig on Twitter
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