New start-up offers remote glasses prescriptions

Smart Vision Labs, a New York based start-up, has developed technology that offers patients an eye exam without having to visit an optometrist, and will even ail the results to the patient.The technology allows patients to complete an eye exam in minutes by using a combination of old and new testing technology, adapted to a device developed by the company and integrated into an iPhone.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: The portability of the device makes eye testing available in retail stores, pharmacies and other rote areas, and could have particular use in developing countries. -WHO:Mr Yaopeng Zhou, CEO of Smart Vision}}Smart Vision CEO Mr Yaopeng Zhou said the device can perform papillary distance, visual acuity, and refraction error testing through a method used in LASIK testing. The US FDA is said to have approved the technology.The portability of the device makes eye testing available in retail stores, pharmacies and other rote areas, and could have particular use in developing countries.Zhou pointed out the accuracy of the tests is rated at a 1% rake rate, which is lower compared to the 10% average for optometry practices. It doesn’t provide a full eye workup, such as having the eyes dilated to detect probls, however, it will recommend if there’s a need to see a doctor.According to Business Insider, Warby Parker has started piloting the technology in some of its outlets and in strategic locations around New York. It plans to leverage the portability of the device to take advantage of high foot traffic areas such as Grand Central Station.The process involves answering questions on vision and history, followed by the device’s tests on visual acuity, pupillary distance, and refractions error managent. After the tests, which take only a few minutes, the information is transmitted to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.