Online Eye Exams are available WOW

[steppinthrax]

Few years ago I signed up for https://www.opternative.com/

They indicated the technology wasen't available yet. Anyway I just got a email a few seconds ago indicating it is now available and I can sign up. I created an account. It sent me a text message to my phone. I was able to take a eye exam from 10' away from my screen.

I was pretty surprised that the results were DEAD ON with my eye exam from myeyedr (retail).

This is going to be a game changer....

 

[jlee]

No more annual $50 "contact lens fitting fee" to get the same damn model of contact lens?

 

[Kaido]

Wow, that's amazing!

 

[Brainonska511]

No more annual $50 "contact lens fitting fee" to get the same damn model of contact lens?

There are other reasons to get your eyes checked besides making sure the prescription is right, such as checking general eye health and making sure contacts aren't causing slow, long-term damage to your eyes.

 

[steppinthrax]

There are other reasons to get your eyes checked besides making sure the prescription is right, such as checking general eye health and making sure contacts aren't causing slow, long-term damage to your eyes.

I agree,

But in all honesty how often does this happen (disease of the eye) AND when it does happen you will know and go to a physical doctor.

Most people don't get annual eye exams enough to accurately detect disease of the eye. Eye doctors are probably on par with dentist. People only go for a very specific reason then never go again.

 

[jlee]

There are other reasons to get your eyes checked besides making sure the prescription is right, such as checking general eye health and making sure contacts aren't causing slow, long-term damage to your eyes.

Sure there are - but that's part of a regular eye exam IMO. A "fitting fee" for the same thing is absurd.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I agree,

But in all honesty how often does this happen (disease of the eye) AND when it does happen you will know and go to a physical doctor.

Most people don't get annual eye exams enough to accurately detect disease of the eye. Eye doctors are probably on par with dentist. People only go for a very specific reason then never go again.

Meh, I got my PRK done in my early college days. As much as I love not having glasses anymore (I've always hated contacts), my vision has slowly deteriorated from what it was. At some point I'm going to need to go back under the knife for another small vision correction.

Hopefully it gets more cheaper between now and then.

 

[steppinthrax]

Retail eye stores have turned into a sales office for everything. There is very little clinical and more/less "bend you over" type of business.

You walk in and you are greeted by a sales person who tries to get you in for a eye exam. The optometrist tries to sell you something in his/her office. You walk out to the sales floor and they give you some bullshit about how the type of Rx you have you need to get the super duper high index lenses with the fucking NASA coating etc..

You came in to get Rx glasses and you walk out with leases of the same optical quality of the Hubble Space Telescope!

 

[Brainonska511]

But in all honesty how often does this happen (disease of the eye) AND when it does happen you will know and go to a physical doctor.

When you finally notice symptoms of an eye disease or problem, it may be a bit on the late side and treatment may be less effective. Better to have these problems discovered well before you develop symptoms.

Sure there are - but that's part of a regular eye exam IMO. A "fitting fee" for the same thing is absurd.

I don't know where you go, but the eye doctor and optician I use does not charge a fitting fee during an annual eye exam for someone already wearing contact lenses.

 

[Schmide]

I don't need glasses I need longer arms.

 

[waggy]

I'm suing due to age discrimination! They won't do mine because i'm over 40!

sue!

 

[jlee]

I don't know where you go, but the eye doctor and optician I use does not charge a fitting fee during an annual eye exam for someone already wearing contact lenses.

From what I've read, it varies by state. I was charged a fitting fee at my last exam for the exact same lenses (identical prescription, even).

 

[steppinthrax]

When you finally notice symptoms of an eye disease or problem, it may be a bit on the late side and treatment may be less effective. Better to have these problems discovered well before you develop symptoms.


I don't know where you go, but the eye doctor and optician I use does not charge a fitting fee during an annual eye exam for someone already wearing contact lenses.

This is my point exactly!!!

When you finally notice symptoms it will be on the late side. Most will then decide to visit an optometrist. What difference would it make.

 

[Brainonska511]

This is my point exactly!!!

When you finally notice symptoms it will be on the late side. Most will then decide to visit an optometrist. What difference would it make.

Well, people apparently don't give a fuck about their eyes, and given how I hear people take care of their contacts, it frankly doesn't surprise me. Eye disease symptoms tend to be vision loss and it isn't always reversible. Early treatment can be anything between no longer wearing contacts (if they are starting to cause asymptomatic problems) to eye drops to control eye pressure before vision loss starts to occur. Or other things I'm not aware of... I'm not an eye doctor.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Apparently my vision sucks too bad for their online testing method.

-7.0

But hey, the bright side is each side is the same level of awful.

 

[TheGardener]

Do they give you a glaucoma test, dilate you pupils and examine your retina online? I'd go every year, but the insurance will only pay every two. I get a new prescription, which I've taken to Target. Even then I only get new glasses every 4-6 years, as my vision hasn't changed all that much over the years.

 

[Fritzo]

This is pretty cool! Thanks for posting.

 

[Pulsar]

Can't test for things like Astigmatism, etc. This sort of thing could lure a lot of people into getting the wrong prescription and set them up for some pretty major headaches - literally.

 

[edro]

Finally.

Now those of us who want the CHOICE to buy glasses without extraordinary fees, can.

It's a hunk of glass...not a heart valve.

 

[Brainonska511]

Can't test for things like Astigmatism, etc. This sort of thing could lure a lot of people into getting the wrong prescription and set them up for some pretty major headaches - literally.

Yep. This honestly sounds like a really terrible idea.

 

[cronos]

I'm suing due to age discrimination! They won't do mine because i'm over 40!

Yeah wth is that about.

 

[manimal]

 

[FelixDeCat]

:| to this idea

 

[Red Squirrel]

That's pretty neat but definitely does not replace the regular every 2 year eye exam that you should get at an optometrist, as they can check for stuff that might be happening with your eyes and treat it before it gets worse. There's more to it than knowing how well you can see from certain distances. I always thought it was odd that eye exams are every 2 years, eyes are important enough that it should be at least every 1 year imo.

Got LASIK a year ago, so glad I don't need glasses anymore, they were starting to drive me bonkers. Constantly having to clean them, getting reflections in them if there's light sources behind me etc...

 

[blinblue]

$40 is more or less what it costs for me to get an exam in person anyway (plus insurance reimburses me). Besides the slight time savings, I don't see the appeal.
$40 Eye Exam + Zenni Optical = Inexpensive Vision Correction