Finnish tech startup IXI is preparing to disrupt the global eyewear market with what it claims are the world’s first autofocus prescription glasses which may spell the end of bifocals and varifocals.

Unlike smartglasses from tech giants like Meta or Apple that focus on AR and social media, IXI’s glasses take a different route by solving the vision problem itself.

Using liquid crystal lenses and a discreet eye-tracking sensor, the glasses detect where you’re looking – near or far – and adjust focus accordingly in just 0.2 seconds.

IXI CEO Niko Eiden, who previously worked at Nokia and Varjo, claims the eyewear industry has hardly changed for decades and says the company aims to do for glasses what autofocus did for cameras.

With funding totalling A$56 million, including backing from Amazon’s Alexa Fund, IXI is scaling up its R&D, building new lab facilities, and planning live demos later this year.

The glasses are aimed at the growing global population dealing with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and myopia (short-sightedness), combining style with advanced optics.

Importantly, the glasses don’t scream “tech”.

The low-power electronics are embedded in a regular-looking frame, with a two-day battery life and overnight charging.

The glasses are still in development and IXI has yet to confirm a launch date or price – though it’s expected to be comparable to a high-end smartphone.

Experts see potential but caution that autofocus specs must pass medical-grade testing before replacing traditional lenses – especially for tasks like driving.

If successful, IXI could upend a A$450 billion global eyewear market long dominated by fashion over function.