New At-Home Eye Tests Have Some Optometrists Seeing Red

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - New technology which allows do-it-yourself eye exams at home using a laptop and a smart phone has some eye care professionals seeing red.

Chukwuma Nwaomah has worn glasses and contacts since he was in the third grade. Yearly appointments to the eye doctor started to become tiring. So, he decided to try something new: an online eye exam he can take at home.

"I was a little hesitant at first. But once I got the hang of it - just breezed right through it," he said.

A day later, he had his new prescription in hand.

"It saved me some time as far as getting to the eye doctor," Nwaomah added.

He's not alone.

Aaron Dallek, CEO and co-founder of Opternative - one of several online eye exam companies - says they've had tens of thousands of people to date sign up to take an at-home exam.

"All you need is a computer and a smart phone. It takes 20-25 minutes and you need 10-12 feet of space," said Dallek.

The online eye exam, which is a vision test using letters and shapes, is similar to what you might find in an eye doctor's office.

Once finished, the results are sent to an ophthalmologist in your state who evaluates them and writes you a prescription you can use anywhere.

"It's much more convenient and less expensive than going to the eye doctor," said Dallek.

But is it enough? Dr. Stephen Loomis, president of the American Optometric Association doesn't think so.

"I just don't understand how just looking at those numbers that come back from an automated system can really tell the doctor what he or she needs to know regarding what that patient's prescription ought to be. Much less understanding what the patient's general health or eye situation is," said Loomis.

He worries that some people will be misled into thinking they've had a complete exam, when in reality the vision is only a small part of what eye doctors look for.

"I examine the cornea, the tear film, all the components of the external portion of the eye," he added.

Dallek insists their system was never designed to replace traditional eye exams, only supplement them.

The Opternative eye exam is only for people between the ages of 18 and 40. It costs $40 for either glasses or contacts; $60 for both. They do not accept vision insurance at this time.