Jordan Reich, 33, of Tampa, Florida, who has suffered from the degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa since childhood, has received a pair of AI-powered glasses that are revolutionizing the way she experiences the world.
Diagnosed at only 7 years old, Richey was declared legally blind at the age of 12. Over time, his vision deteriorated, leaving him with only 5% vision. “I can make out some shapes, but the faces are blurry, like seeing through a fog,” Reich shared.
Now, thanks to a pilot program from Dogs Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on training guide dogs for people with visual impairments, Reach has received a pair of Ray-Ban AI Wayfarer glasses. Paired with Meta AI, these glasses work with a small, discreet speaker to describe objects, colors, and even read text from signs, receipts, and menus. This is a huge breakthrough for someone like Richey, who often struggles to manage daily tasks like reading mail or checking expiration dates on groceries.
“I have a 2-inch stack of mail I can’t read,” Reiche said. “And now I can check the expiration date on the milk.” With these new glasses, she is able to incorporate a new sense of freedom into her daily routine, a luxury she hasn’t had for years.
Reich, who works as an addictions counselor from home, had previously seen the glasses at a local Best Buy, but the $500 price tag deterred her from purchasing them. Thanks to the pilot program, she can now use the glasses at no cost.
Reich also has a close relationship with his guide dog, Blue, who has been with him for seven years. “Before Blue, I was always looking down, trying to avoid obstacles,” she explained. “Now, I get to look up and see around the world.” Together, he and Blue have gone through challenging situations, from an Alaska cruise to hiking in the Appalachian Mountains and touring in Ireland.
Now, with the AI glasses, Reach hopes to expand his horizons even further, with future trips to destinations like Joshua Tree and Amsterdam in mind. With the help of both her trusty guide dog and this innovative technology, Reach is embracing a world full of new possibilities.