I saw the title for this video and initially thought that this company had come up with a way to 3d-print glass lenses. Printing optical lenses has been accomplished just recently by Dutch company LUXeXceL using plastic. However, many complications arise when printing glass. The temperatures required to heat ‘sand’ to actually melt into glass are rather extreme for current technology.

As it turns out, Shapeways has introduced an innovative process to actually 3d-print glass Instead of pushing the limits of the printing head to the extreme temperatures required to form glass, the company prints glass particles held together with a binding agent. This mix of glass and binding agent is then heated in a kiln to the point the binding agent dissipates and the glass melts together into form.

Back to custom eye-wear though. The company that made this video, Beehive, is certainly on the right track. 3d-printing is the ultimate in customization. Using precise 3d-scanning technology, it may be possible to diagnose necessary eye prescriptions, then have your favorite frame of glasses printed on the spot to match.