Augmented reality filter for social media launched

Specsavers has developed an augmented reality (AR) filter to highlight the gradual effect of eye conditions.

The multiple worked in partnership with Facebook and Instagram on the filter, which users can apply to photos and videos to see what it would be like to live with glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts. The filter can be toggled from mild to severe sight loss.

Specsavers’ director of professional advancement Paul Morris said: ‘This is truly ground-breaking. We are one of the first to use any kind of AR filter on Instagram, and to use the same filter on Facebook too, and we are doing so in a new and different way because we are disrupting audiences by showing them what it's like to lose vision.’