CHICAGO—After anticipating the launch of the new online refraction service from Opternative for well over a year now, those in the field of optometry must wait no longer to see how the service actually functions. Earlier this week, on Monday, July 27, 2015, Opternative announced the launch of its online refraction service in 27 states.

By using a computer and smartphone, consumers can take a 25-minute or less eye test and receive a prescription within 24 hours to use at any online or physical optical retailer. After signing up at Opternative.com, individuals follow a series of written and audio instructions that walk them through several multiple choice vision tests presented on their computer screen. Their answers are recorded using a smartphone.

When asked what types of vision tests are administered, an Opternative spokesperson told VMail, “We only provide a refractive eye exam. Opternative offers a refractive eye exam to evaluate a patient’s vision. This exam is a subjective refraction that allows an ophthalmologist to review the results and make a clinical decision before issuing a prescription for glasses, contacts or both. A clinical trial has shown that our refractive exam is statistically equivalent to a traditional in-office exam.”

According to the announcement from Opternative, “Once the online exam is completed, a licensed ophthalmologist evaluates the patient’s results, health information and medical history, including past vision exam records, all while engaging the patient in a standard manner. Then, if clinically appropriate, the ophthalmologist issues a prescription that is delivered to the patient or the patient’s designated eyewear provider through Opternative’s secure Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant platform.”

Steven Lee, OD, co-founder of Opternative, said “As a Food & Drug Administration registered software technology, the Opternative eye exam uses a set of vision tests and algorithms to provide clinical decision support to ophthalmologists who determine the appropriate diagnosis and issue the right prescription for each patient.”

At a cost of $40 for an eyeglasses or contact lenses prescription and $60 for both, prescriptions are issued and signed by an ophthalmologist licensed in the patient’s state. The service is currently available in 27 states covering 75 percent of the U.S. 18- to 40-year-old population, with more states expected soon.

The states in which the service is available are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.



“Opternative currently covers 27 states and has been cleared to practice in 45 states,” an Opternative spokesperson told VMail. “As we expand our network of physicians to review and approve the Opternative online eye exam, we will be continuing to increase the number of states we offer our service. We have ophthalmologists who are licensed in each of the 27 states we currently operate in.”

According to the announcement from Opternative, “A recent physician-led clinical trial found strong correlation between Opternative’s eye exam software and traditional in-office refractive eye exams, delivering statistically equivalent patient satisfaction and visual acuity with the resulting prescription. More than 1,500 patients have been evaluated using the Opternative eye exam.”

To address the controversy among practicing eyecare professionals who fear that obtaining online refractions will prevent patients from accessing comprehensive eye exams on a regular basis, Opternative said in its announcement: “While the Opternative ophthalmologists are able to provide patients with a prescription quickly and conveniently, Opternative’s services are not a replacement for a comprehensive eye health exam. Opternative ophthalmologists recommend that all patients receive an eye health exam at least once every two years.

“Opternative will not allow patients to use its prescription services more than four consecutive times within a five-year period without first receiving an eye health exam, in accordance with the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s recommendations. Patients with certain symptoms or medical conditions will be prevented from taking the Opternative exam or be encouraged to get a full eye health exam more frequently.”

Opternative has been on the industry’s and VMail’s radar for well over a year now. The company’s co-founder, Aaron Dallek, appeared at the 2014 VM Global Leadership Summit. View a video from the event to see excerpts from his presentation and comments about the online refraction service from other leading optical executives in attendance. In addition, Vision Monday reported on Opternative in an article in its June 16, 2014, issue.