EssilorLuxottica faces privacy backlash and FDA approval

EssilorLuxottica is navigating a complex period marked by both regulatory successes and significant social backlash regarding its smart glasses technology. While the company received FDA De-Novo authorization in the US for Stellest lenses—which clinical studies suggest can slow myopia progression in children by an average of 71 percent—its AI-integrated eyewear faces growing scrutiny.

Analysts at Bernstein have warned that the smart glasses market, specifically the Ray-Ban Meta collaboration, faces a potential downturn due to privacy and surveillance concerns. Despite selling over 7 million Meta AI glasses in 2025, public sentiment has shifted, with critics labeling the devices ‘pervert glasses.’ The seamless integration of cameras into fashionable frames has led to fears that individuals are being filmed without consent, as the devices are difficult to detect and the indicator lights can be easily obscured.