Today, you can have your vision tested without leaving the comfort of your home. Some eye care providers offer online vision tests. However, this service is ideal when you are traveling and accidentally broke or lost your glasses and need a prescription for a new pair.
Continue reading to learn more about online vision tests.
How Do Online Vision Tests Work?
You’ll either need to access the website of your optometrist or an app for your online vision test. Do you wear prescription glasses or contact lenses? If so, you will likely have to wear them during the exam. Some sites only examine your vision while others offer prescription glasses and contact lenses based on the test result.
Keep in mind that not all states permit getting eye prescriptions online. Furthermore, providers that offer prescriptions will charge you for the online vision test. Vision and health insurance don’t usually cover this fee. Often, it’s more cost-effective to schedule an appointment with your optometrist, where you might be able to use your insurance.
Are They Reliable?
Online vision tests are fairly new, and researchers are still looking into their reliability. They haven’t been studied enough to determine how well they work compared to physical eye exams. If you don’t follow the steps of these tests properly, your result might not be accurate. People with strong eye prescriptions might not also benefit from online vision tests.
While online vision tests are helpful for some scenarios, they aren’t an alternative to routine eye exams. They can only assess your vision, but not your overall eye health. These tests won’t be able to diagnose eye conditions that can threaten your vision, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.
Keep track of your vision and eye health with regular eye doctor visits. Vienna Eyecare Center is always here for your eye care needs. Call us at (703) 938-7633, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve patients in communities around Fairfax, VA.
