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get Prescription for glasses It’s been the same as it’s always been: You make an appointment with your eye doctor, you sit in an exam room while someone flips the lenses over and asks you what’s best, and you wait at least a week for your new glasses to arrive. Not to mention paying out of pocket if you don’t have vision insurance.
yibutThe AI-powered health technology company wants to make this process optional and make vision tests easier.
The Boston-based startup has built a self-service kiosk that delivers a prescription for eyeglasses to be reviewed by a doctor in less than 90 seconds without the need for an appointment or insurance. I tested it out, and the experience was much smoother than I expected.
What is iBot?
Simply put, Eyebot is a kiosk that offers non-invasive vision tests on a touch screen. The process begins with an intake that asks if you currently wear glasses or have any existing vision conditions. People with certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, are directed to seek in-person care.
Then, you’ll see the letters on the screen, and you’ll type the letters you see, just like when you go to take a personality test. The robot then performs a vision screening using a non-contact eye scanner that collects refraction information (determines the exact lens prescription needed to correct your vision), lensometry (if you already use glasses, it scans your glasses and measures the strength of your current glasses) and visual acuity information (measures how clear your vision is).
“Eyebot is a vision testing solution that allows you to perform a vision test in four simple steps, similar to what you might encounter in an optical clinic,” Matthias Hoffmann, CEO of Eyebot, told CNET. The four steps are: intake survey, visual acuity test, remote doctor review, and prescriptions.
The whole process takes about 90 seconds. Your results are then sent to a licensed ophthalmologist for review. Prescriptions are available within 24 hours after the test. I got mine in about 30 minutes.
However, Eyebot is not a replacement for your eye doctor. It’s designed for service Millions of people Who cannot access one due to lack of accessibility or affordability.
My first impression of Eyebot
When I first went to the Eyebot booth, which I had been invited to test out in the PR office, I was a bit skeptical. It looks like a sleek ATM crossed with a photo booth. While I went in with doubts, I came out very impressed. It looked like it came straight out of a futuristic movie, but then, the process was clear and intuitive enough that anyone who wasn’t well-versed in technology could use the device without a problem.
I followed the on-screen instructions, and saw the robot scan my eyes. Everything was done within two minutes. About 30 minutes later, I received an email with my prescription.
After receiving my results, I went online to The Framery at 1-800 Contacts, ordered glasses with my new prescription and received them within about five business days. Overall, the experience was quick and smooth.
I compared my prescription to the one I got during my personal vision test last year, and they were very similar. My eye doctor’s prescription from last year showed mild myopia and astigmatism in both eyes. The Eyebot read my vision as effectively neutral — a contradiction worth pointing out. Since my nearsightedness and astigmatism are minimal, and the prescription my eye doctor reviewed after using the Eyebot included a minimal amount of vision correction, I don’t notice any difference between my old glasses and my new ones. I also didn’t carry my glasses with me. Eyebot can scan your current glasses and determine your prescription, but I wasn’t able to test this feature.
Last year’s prescription, left, shows mild myopia and astigmatism. On the right is the Eyebot recipe.
How much does it cost to have a vision screening with Eyebot?
The vision test itself can cost up to $25 Most sites. At Walmart Vision Centers, an Eyebot kiosk visit includes a $25 administration fee. For Sam’s Club members, service is covered by membership ($60 or more per year) at participating clubs. This is a big contrast to traditional in-person vision testing, which is usually done every now and then $100 to $200 without insurance.
“Half of Americans “We don’t even have vision insurance, so if we can convince retailers to subsidize the cost, that’s better for consumers,” Hoffman says.
Getting a prescription is half the battle, as you still need glasses. Eyebot partnered with Frame in 1-800 contacts To create an integrated store experience. Once you create an account with The Framery using the same email you used with Eyebot, you can automatically view your prescriptions and order glasses on the website.
Prescription glasses at framework They range from $69 to $129, depending on the frame you choose.
Where to find Eyebot
Eyebot kiosks have popped up at various Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Utah and Virginia, with plans for expansion underway. If you are interested in finding an Eyebot near you, you can visit Website To view current locations.
What to know before canceling your next eye appointment
Eyebot is worth a try, but not without some caveats. I think it’s best for adults who need routine prescription updates and don’t have a complicated vision history. Eyebot cannot screen for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or other eye diseases like a comprehensive eye exam that a doctor can perform. These conditions don’t always come with obvious symptoms, and a 90-second kiosk test won’t detect them, so it’s best to keep seeing your eye doctor for routine checkups.
the American Optometric Association It’s been clear that this type of technology is no substitute for an annual eye exam, especially if you haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in more than a year or have a family history of eye disease.
But for the average person with healthy vision who’s been staring a little more at their screens lately and can’t get an eye exam, or can’t afford one, Eyebot can fill that gap.
