Can You Take a Vision Test at Home?

 

Routine eye tests are necessary, but taking a trip to the doctor’s is so time-consuming. That’s why many companies have been creating online visual acuity tests, but none of them were backed by the Food and Drug Administration until recently.

In August, the FDA approved an online visual acuity test. This test was created by a North American telehealth company known as Visibly. With this green light, people between 22 to 40 can check their eyesight without leaving the comfort of their own homes.

In addition, people who need a new pair of contacts or glasses but can’t make it to the hospital for an appointment can have easier access to them. However, the FDA emphasized that as innovative as this technology is, it should only replace physical eye examinations partially.

Why Should You Do Online Vision Tests?

Doing a visual acuity test at home is beneficial for people with hectic schedules or who live too far away from an eye doctor to make regular visits.

For instance, Visibly is recommended for individuals who have not experienced any changes in their vision, have recently finished an extensive eye exam, or want to renew an expired prescription.

Visibly’s Chief Operating Officer, Paul Foley, stated in a press release that the goal of the vision test is to enhance the use of the eye care system and also serve as a complementary service to the prescriptions provided in person. According to the business, you can finish the test in just six minutes, and they provide 90 percent of prescriptions within twenty-four hours of the exam.

Should You Still Get a Comprehensive Exam After Taking a Vision Test at Home?

Online vision tests are not suitable replacements for intensive therapy. For example, at-home tests may not help if you have a complex prescription involving bifocals or a progressive pair of glasses.

Online vision tests are not suitable replacements for intensive therapy. For example, at-home tests may not help if you have a complex prescription involving bifocals or a progressive pair of glasses. Also, it might not be able to diagnose astigmatism, which occurs when the cornea is slightly misshapen. It is significantly more accurate to have a qualified professional assess your eye health in person than to take a self-administered online exam.

In addition, Visibly’s digital test is challenging for individuals who require multiple prescriptions to see effectively at various distances.