Is There a Place for the Vision Test Kiosk?

Eyebot is self-service kiosk that provides automated vision tests in about 90 seconds for approximately $25. The test is reviewed by a remote licensed eye doctor, who then assesses the test and, if approved, writes a prescription that is sent to the test taker via email or faxed to the vision center. Eyebot states its kiosks can perform up to 300 sessions per day.

The company currently operates in Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Pennsylvania and announced a partnership with The Framery, part of 1-800 Contacts, to create what it describes as an “end-to-end retail optical experience.”

“Eyebot’s purpose is practical and focused: helping people access eyeglass prescriptions in a timely, cost-effective, and safe way while enabling eye care professionals to guide those who may need further evaluation to appropriate follow-up care,” Eyebot Co-Founder and CEO Matthias Hofmann shared with Insight Media in an exclusive interview.

Hoffman describes the Eyebot S1+ kiosk as a vision-testing platform that efficiently and accurately collects refraction, lensometry, visual acuity, and patient history.

“That data is securely sent to a state-licensed eye doctor,” he says. “The doctor reviews every session and decides whether to issue a prescription. If a prescription is deemed appropriate, the doctor signs and sends the prescription to the patient. The doctor has full discretion to provide a prescription or not based on each individual case.”

Pushback From Optometry Advocates

As Eyebot has expanded, the kiosk platform has drawn scrutiny from optometry and patient safety advocates. The American Optometric Association (AOA) raised concerns with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), calling for further assessment of patient safety, privacy protections, and potential misinformation surrounding automated vision testing.

Additionally, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) issued a patient safety alert in January in response to the initial Eyebot kiosks installed across the state. In the alert, they warned that the autonomous vision test is not a substitute for comprehensive eye health and vision care provided by an eye care provider.

“The POA strongly supports innovation that improves access to eye care and embraces new technology when it enhances patient outcomes,” says POA President Erin Draper, OD. “However, we oppose the introduction of kiosk refractions because they do not provide a comprehensive eye exam and may give end-users a false sense of reassurance regarding their ocular health.”

According to Hofman, Eyebot maintains its stance is that its kiosks are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. “Comprehensive exams are essential, and we will continue to say so clearly, while educating patients on the importance and value of comprehensive eye care,” he says. “Eyebot is designed to be complementary and exists to help adults access eyeglass prescriptions, while keeping clinical judgment central to every session.”

The Eyebot Experience

The Insight Media team walk-up experience with the Eyebot automated vision test kiosk is outlined below.

After entering the local Walmart Vision Center without an appointment and inquiring about the Eyebot vision test, an optician walked me to the kiosk and gave me a quick rundown of how it works, including some pointers. I viewed a series of disclosures and agreed to the terms of service (which included an acknowledgement that the Eyebot test is not a comprehensive eye exam) followed by some basic personal information.

From there, the kiosk prompted a series of intake questions: whether I had been diagnosed with a list of conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma, whether I currently wear eyeglasses, how satisfied I am with my current prescription, how/when I use my glasses such as driving or computer, and whether I experience issues such as blurry vision or headaches.

The visual acuity portion resembled a standard Snellen test. I looked at rows of four letters that became progressively smaller, completing the test with my glasses on. Instead of verbally identifying letters, the kiosk presented four letter options and required me to input the correct sequence.

Next came an autorefraction. I was instructed to stand on a circle marked on the floor, remove my glasses, and stare at a balloon image while red lights blinked around my field of view. After a roughly 15-second scan, my eye test was complete.

I took my time throughout the process, and the test lasted a little more than five minutes. I paid the $25 fee and received an email stating that my results were being reviewed remotely by a licensed eye doctor. During my test, I was given the option to have my prescription faxed directly to the Vision Center, which I declined, and received the prescription by email.

Less than five minutes later, another email arrived with prescriptions for single-vision and bifocal lenses signed by an optometrist. The prescription included a disclaimer noting that an Eyebot test is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam along with recommendations to follow exam guidelines from the AOA or the American Academy of Ophthalmology.