Adapting phone screens to remove the need for reading glasses

As people age, reading small text on digital displays becomes increasingly difficult, often forcing individuals to hold devices further away or search for reading glasses. While smartphones have successfully integrated physical tools like cameras, maps, and calculators into a single device, century-old reading glasses remain an external necessity. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Rome, Italy, Glassless Technologies srl set out to address this everyday challenge through software innovation. Co-founder Arturo Catalano Gonzaga left a full-time position as an automotive software developer to explore whether smartphone displays could adjust themselves to human visual needs instead of relying on physical lenses.

The team created a software-only solution that modifies on-screen content in real time based on individual vision profiles. Rather than requiring specialized hardware attachments or custom screen covers, the technology works entirely on the phone a user already owns. The onboarding process involves a three-step setup starting with an interactive on-device eye test. Users calibrate the visual correction strength using a digital slider until the test text becomes crisp, forming a detailed personal profile even without existing medical prescription data.

Behind the user interface, the engineering team leverages machine learning tools including PyTorch and TensorFlow to handle real-time visual adjustment. Operating as a private Android overlay application, the software runs on stock hardware without altering original application code. Text messages, system notifications, incoming alerts, and application menus continuously render through the personalized visual filter. This allows individuals to interact with their favourite mobile applications at standard reading distances without searching for physical spectacles.

Early validation efforts demonstrate encouraging results for the Rome-based software team. Preliminary trials involving thirty-one participants measured reading performance and speed when viewing corrected displays compared to uncorrected screens. The platform has gathered support from regional and national bodies, including Impact Deal Lazio, the European Union, Regione Lazio, and the Italian Republic. The company has also participated in dedicated startup acceleration programmes such as Accelerace, CDP Rete Nazionale Acceleratori, and the Healthware VITA Digital Health Accelerator.

As Glassless Technologies srl prepares to present its technology at Web Summit 2026, the four-member team remains focused on expanding the capabilities of its Android app. The goal is to make digital displays inherently inclusive for anyone experiencing near-vision decline, turning a common physical inconvenience into an invisible software feature. By eliminating the need to carry separate reading glasses for brief phone checks, the startup offers a practical approach to modern digital accessibility that transforms how people interact with everyday screens.

Find out more at glassless.com