Smart specs help blind hubby, 90, see wife again

SON AND SCARE Dot and screen bad boy, Nick Cotton DELIGHT John Hutchinson A BLIND man of 90 has told of his delight at seeing his wife for the first time in 10 years thanks to prototype smart glasses.

Army veteran John Hutchinson has just 4% vision and describes his sight as “like looking through a pot of glue”.

But he was given the Smart Specs as part of an Oxford University trial and was stunned by the change in his vision.

John, of Largs, North Ayrshire, said: “The frame of the headset has cameras taking pictures.

“It somehow comes back to you via the glasses in front of you like a mini TV screen.

“It is enough to see what is ahead and recognise people. It really is remarkable. I could see my wife clearly for the first time in years. It was a bit of a shock but I was extremely happy when I saw her. I rushed and gave her a big hug. It is a complete revolution.”

John lost his sight during his 18 years in the Army when working for refugees in Africa and parasites attacked his retina. He had the prototype specs for three weeks but has had to hand them back.

He said the university project had now been handed over to a commercial firm.

John wants to buy the £2,500 specs when they are released and the Royal British Legion’s Largs branch has raised £1,000. He said: “I am very grateful.”