Eye exams are traditionally done in person with an optometrist, but now there might be another option. Everything these days seems to be moving to the online sphere, so it’s expected that eye care would do the same. Just as you can now try on eyeglass and sunglass frames virtually from the comfort of your own computer, you can now access eye exams online. We are going to walk you through the ins and outs of these virtual exams and tell you about the best online eye exams for contacts!
How Do Online Eye Exams Work?
Many online eye exams are done online using a website on either a smartphone or a computer, but some also offer an app to be downloaded. Some of the apps and websites also make you create an account and pay for the online exam as insurance does not cover online eye exams. This may or may not end up being more expensive than a visit to your eye doctor, depending on your insurance coverage.
The websites or apps may ask you to sit your phone down and take 10 steps back. This would be the distance vision check. Some of them also check astigmatism and color vision, although the overall effectiveness of these tests remains to be determined.
When Does It Make Sense To Use An Online Eye Exam?
Online eye exams were initially made for healthy 18-39-year-old patient, with no systemic issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and who had recently had an eye exam completed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist within the last year or two and was told that they had a healthy eye.
If you wear contact lenses, be mindful about your use of online eye exams. If you are not a contact lens wear, are between the ages of 18-39, are not a highly near-sighted patient (-6.00 D or greater), have no systemic complications, and have not had any recent ocular side effects, an online eye exam may be an option for you.
What Are The Top Online Eye Exams?
- ACLens – Best Value (Free)
ACLens is an online website that is free to use, and patients can order contacts, glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, cosmetics, dry eye treatments, red eye treatments, lens cases, etc. They claim to carry brands such as Bausch & Lomb and BioTrue contacts and Genteal and Refresh drops.
- Discount Contact Lenses – Best For Contacts
On their homepage is a photo stating “Expired Rx? Take our FREE Online Vision Test.” Great, right? This website also offers promo codes of 20% off everywhere you look, while still selling top contact lens brands such as Acuvue, AirOptix, Biofinity, and Bausch & Lomb.
- 1-800 Contacts – Best Customer Service
1-800 Contacts claims to “beat any price on contact lenses, plus free, fast shipping and convenient online ordering.” 1-800 Contacts was one of the earliest online contact lens retailers.
- LensDirect – Most Efficient
An online optical store that contains no rebates, a 120-day return policy, and no minimum boxes which would be a selling point for patients on tight budgets.
- Warby Parker – Best App
Warby Parker claims to provide quality prescription eyewear, with discounts when you order more than 1 pair.
- DiscountGlasses.com – Best For Glasses
DiscountGlasses.com has a 365-day guarantee, with the option to add blue light. They ship from the U.S. which is a selling point for some buyers and also has free returns.
What Are The Best Free Online Eye Exams For Contacts?
ACLens is an online website that is free to use, and patients can order contacts, glasses, sunglasses, reading glasses, cosmetics, dry eye treatments, red eye treatments, lens cases, etc. They claim to carry brands such as Bausch & Lomb and BioTrue contacts and Genteal and Refresh drops.
On their homepage is a photo stating “Expired Rx? Take our FREE Online Vision Test.” Great, right? This website also offers promo codes of 20% off everywhere you look, while still selling top contact lens brands such as Acuvue, AirOptix, Biofinity, and Bausch & Lomb.
- DiscountGlasses.com – Best For Glasses
DiscountGlasses.com has a 365-day guarantee, with the option to add blue light. They ship from the U.S. which is a selling point for some buyers and also has free returns.
How Do I Get My Prescription From An Online Free Eye Exam?
The websites that offer you a copy of your prescription will not give it to you for free. The website/app will send the prescription to an eyecare professional in your state, they will review it, sign it, and send it back, likely via email. While this format is acceptable in some places, some states do not allow prescriptions to be written this way. Be sure to check your local protocols in advance to avoid any confusion!
When Will My Eye Prescription Expire?
All states have mandatory expiration dates on vision prescriptions. Prescriptions are typically valid for a minimum of one year, while some states are valid for up to two years. Find your state below to see how long your prescription is likely valid:
- Alabama: 1 year
- Alaska: 1 year
- Arizona: 1 year
- Arkansas: 1 year
- California: 1 to 2 years
- Colorado: 1 year
- Connecticut: 1 year
- Delaware: 1 year
- Florida: 2 years
- Georgia: 1 year
- Hawaii: 1 year
- Idaho: 1 year
- Illinois: 1 year
- Indiana: 1 year
- Iowa: 1 year to 18 months
- Kansas: 1 year
- Kentucky: 1 year
- Louisiana: 1 year to 18 months
- Maine: 1 to 2 years
- Maryland: 1 to 2 years
- Massachusetts: 1 year
- Michigan: 1 year
- Minnesota: 2 years
- Mississippi: 1 to 2 years
- Missouri: 1 year
- Montana: 1 year
- Nebraska: 1 year
- Nevada: 1 year
- New Hampshire: 1 year
- New Jersey: 1 to 2 years
- New Mexico: 2 years
- New York: 1 year
- North Carolina: 1 year
- North Dakota: 1 year
- Ohio: 1 year
- Oklahoma: 1 year
- Oregon: 1 year
- Pennsylvania: 1 year
- Rhode Island: 1 year
- South Carolina: 1 year
- South Dakota: 1 year
- Tennessee: 1 year
- Texas: 1 year
- Utah: 2 years
- Vermont: 1 year
- Virginia: 1 year
- Washington: 2 years
- Washington, D.C.: 1 year
- West Virginia: 1 year
- Wisconsin: 1 year
- Wyoming: 1 year
Prescription expiration aside, there is more to consider when scheduling out your optometrist visits. For more information, see our article about how often you should get an eye exam.
Are Online Eye Exams Safe?
The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as a simple yes or no. There are many factors to consider regarding eye health, especially for those who wear contacts regularly. The online eye exams themselves are not harmful in any capacity. The computer screen, in this particular instance, will not harm your eyes.
For regular contact wearers, it is important to know that the skin around the eyes is filled with Staphylococcus aureus. The eye can be subject to bacterial keratitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Even the cleanest of people will have natural bacteria in the skin around the eyes. Online eye exams only check vision and do not check the actual health of the eye and surrounding area.
Are Online Eye Exams a Substitute for In-Person Visits?
Online eye exams, especially for contact wearers, should be considered a supplement to regular optometrist visits as opposed to a substitute. There is a lot that goes into eye care, and vision tests are just one part of it. If you are in a pinch time or budget-wise, online eye exams can be helpful as they are cheap, usually don’t require vision insurance, and can be done anytime from the location of your choice.
For overall eye health, it is recommended that you see an eye care specialist once a year—more often if you have a record of poor eye health or a specific condition. A trained professional will be able to pick up on things that, unfortunately, a regular computer cannot. It’s best practice to keep an eye on your own personal health and wellness. So take note of your eyes when taking inventory, and use your best judgment in seeing medical professionals.
Camilo is the founder of Contacts Compare and is a contact lens enthusiast who has been buying, shopping, and comparing contact lenses for over 12 years. He started Contacts Compare because it was nearly impossible to compare prices quickly to make sure he was getting the best price possible. He holds degrees from Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. His favorite contact lens is Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with Hydraluxe.