Some S. Florida eye doctors adding Rx to Google Glass

Interested in trying the new Internetconnected Google Glass eyewear? Some South Florida eye doctors can help.

The VSP vision health insurance company has begun offering prescription lenses to Google Glass wearers through select providers.

Dr. BarryKayofHollywoodEyes, oneof at least 18 such providers in the South Florida area, says he’s gotten a number of calls from interested wearers since The New York Times broke the news Jan. 28 about theVSP deal.

The high- tech device, like a tiny smartphone mounted onto optical frames, is already creating a buzz.

It allows users to answer email, surf the Web, record a phone call, even snap a photo — all hands- free, using only voice commands. But the frames came with clear glass and, until the VSP deal, did not have the capability of being fitted for prescription lenses.

Google Glass won’t be sold to the general public until later this year. Until then, people can join a test group Google is calling the Explorers, where you buy the pre- market device ( at google. com/ glass/ start/ how- to- get- one) and help the company perfect the gadget before it goes on the open market.

You must have a VSP plan to qualify for an insurance discount, but not to get the lenses. Anyone can go to a Google GlasstrainedVSP provider and get the prescription lenses at full price.

One “Explorer,” Eric Zimerman, 31, of Plantation, wasamongthe first toorder his prescription lenses fromKay.

He bought the $ 1,500 device ( and spent another $ 225 for the frame) about 10 days before Google struck a deal with VSP, but hadn’t been able to use it with his contact lenses.

“Contacts justweren’tworking for me,” saidZimerman, a security surveillance systemcontractor.“Theyweren’t comfortable with it. I need the prescription lenses ... It’s actually a really cool device.”