Online eye exam for glasses and contacts

Test your eyesight without a trip to the eye doctor? Online vision tests aim to make it possible. Several companies offer tests that you can take on the internet with your computer or smartphone.

An online vision test might check:

  • How sharp your vision is
  • If you have astigmatism, a condition that can make things blurry or stretched
  • How sensitive your eyes are to light
  • If you have color-blindness, meaning you can’t see colors correctly

These eye tests can be helpful in some situations, like if you break or lose your glasses when you’re far from home and you need a prescription to get new ones.

But they can’t replace regular visits to your eye doctor. That’s because they are only about vision -- they don’t check the health of your eyes. They can’t tell you if you have a condition that can threaten your sight, like cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. If you think you have an infection or you’ve injured your eyes, you should see an eye doctor.

Who Can Take Online Vision Tests?

Online vision tests are meant for healthy adults ages 18 to 39 who:

  • Already have a prescription for eyeglasses and it’s not very strong
  • Have already had a complete eye exam and know their eyes are healthy
  • Have no risks for eye disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure

Even if you are the right age and healthy enough to take an online vision test, you should still get regular eye exams as often as your eye doctor recommends.

How Online Vision Tests Work

An online vision test can have a few steps. You’ll need a computer and some space to sit back so you can take the part of the test that checks your distance vision. Some tests also need you to have a smartphone so you can use an app. If you have prescription eyeglasses or contacts, chances are you’ll need to wear them for the test.

Some websites offer tests just to check your vision. If you get results that say you might have a problem, it will be up to you to see an eye doctor. Other websites offer prescriptions for glasses and contacts based on the results of your tests. An eye doctor in your state will check over your results and email you a prescription. Then you can order glasses or contacts online. Not every state will allow you to get an eye prescription this way.

The websites that offer prescriptions will charge a fee. Chances are your vision or health insurance won’t cover it. It might be cheaper for you to use your insurance to see an eye doctor. Check your plan to see what it covers.

Are Online Vision Tests Accurate?

Doctors disagree about whether online vision tests are accurate. And because they are still new, researchers haven’t studied them well enough to know for sure how they compare to an exam you’d get from your eye doctor.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you don’t take the test correctly, you might not get an accurate result. Plus, the tests are not designed for people who need a strong prescription for eyeglasses.

The bottom line: Before you take an online vision test, make sure you understand what it can and can’t tell you. And keep your regular appointments with your eye doctor to make sure you’re healthy.

You can use the online vision test to renew an expired contacts prescription. It is a self-guided, online service taken with your computer and smartphone that is used to assess elements of visual acuity. When completed, your test data is sent to a licensed eye care provider who, after review, will provide you with your results within 24 hours.

Do you have to be a certain age to take an online vision test?

The online vision test is intended for use by adults ages 18-55.

What states can take the online vision test?

Our online vision testing services, which allow for online prescription renewal of contact lenses, are currently allowed in 36 states due to state and federal laws in each region. (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MN, MD, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI and WY.).

Who is eligible for the online vision test?

The online vision test is intended for use by people between the ages of 18-55 located in an available US State between the prescriptive range of -12 to +6 sphere, less than -5.0 cylinder, and less than +4 add power. Patients with underlying medical conditions or medication impacting their vision are not eligible for the online vision test.

What are the limitations of the online vision test?

The online vision test is used to assess elements of visual acuity in order for a doctor to be able to review and renew your preexisting lens prescription. It does not perform or replace an initial or comprehensive eye examination and does not assess eye health. If there is indication that your prescription has changed or that you exhibit underlying eye health conditions the online vision test will recommend that you visit an in-person doctor.

Do online vision tests work for people with astigmatism?

Yes, online vision tests work for people with astigmatism.

How accurate are online vision tests?

Our online vision test has a prescription refund rate of 1% and is backed by a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the renewed prescription.

What happens if my online vision test is incorrect?

We provide a 100% money back guarantee if you are not happy with your renewed prescription.

Can I use insurance to pay for my online vision test?

Unfortunately we do not accept insurance for our online vision test, but the good news is that it only costs a fraction of an in-person eye exam!

How can I test my vision at home?

The online vision test takes about 5 to 10 minutes and requires a smartphone and computer connected to the internet, 10 feet of space, and your prior prescription. You'll wear your current lenses and answer a series of questions that appear on your computer screen. Once you're done, a licensed doctor in your area will review your test and send you your results.

What's the difference between an online vision test and seeing an eye doctor for an in-person eye exam?

The difference is that an online vision test does not go over the health of your eyes and can only be used for renewing your existing prescription, also you still need to visit the eye doctor for an initial prescription! Online vision tests cannot diagnose eye health related conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. If you think you have an infection or you've injured your eyes, you should see an eye doctor immediately.

Can I test my eye prescription online?

Opternative is a new company that offers eye exams online. After patients take the online eye exam, they receive a physician-approved prescription within 24 hours. An Opternative eye exam costs $40 for a glasses or contact lens prescription, or $60 for both. The company's service is available in 29 states.

Can I get a contact lens prescription online?

To purchase contacts online, a person needs to: Get an up-to-date prescription from an eye doctor. In some cases, individuals can use an online retailer's “doctor finder” service, or complete an online eye exam.

Is eye exam for contacts and glasses the same?

An eyeglass prescription is no substitute for a contact lens exam because the two are very different. An eyeglass prescription measures for lenses that are positioned approximately 12 millimeters from your eyes; whereas a contact lens prescription measures for lenses that sit directly on the surface the eye.

Can I order glasses online with an expired prescription?

No, you cannot use an expired eyeglass prescription to buy new glasses. The reason for this is simple: our eyes change as we age, and a prescription from several years ago may no longer guarantee clear vision.