Would be 'a thing' :
A usable and reliable AR lense exist that most people can wear as contact lense to experience AR , even with a bad autonomy.
A convicing prototype, even expensive, featuring all aspect of reasonnable quality AR, tried by trustable sources would count.
A valid AR lense would feature at least a functionnal overlay display with a minimum of 1Hz refresh rate, some interactions like navigating a menu, allow movement of the user during use, keep track of some elements of surrounding.
Spacial mapping capability of the contact lense can be helped by external device.
General public must be at least aware of it.
Would not be 'a thing' :
Barely usable lense or prototype would not count.
Creating heavy motion sickness to a majority of people would not count.
Creating systematic pain to average healthy user would not count.
Creating constant heavy disorientation or preventing space awarness would not count.
An hypothetical leaked military secret would not count.