Dear AOA Member:
You may have seen articles in the ophthalmic press about a company offering online eye “exams.” Please know that we will be releasing the statement below to alert consumers about misleading information in claims about "online eye tests."
If you have any questions or if you’d like further information about AOA’s efforts to enforce laws aimed at safeguarding public health, please contact Brian Reuwer of our Washington Office at 1-800-365-2219 or breuwer@aoa.org.
AOA Statement on Online Eye Tests
The AOA is concerned by increasing complaints about the Opternative.com website. The assertions of its backers that it provides an online “eye exam” are confused and confusing. Consumers should understand that determination of the refractive error without the eyes being physically examined by a Doctor of Optometry or an ophthalmologist is NOT an eye exam, and anyone involved in claiming to have performed an eye exam without physically examining a patient is offering misleading information and is contributing to a patient believing—incorrectly—that his or her eye health needs have been met.
Consumers will be at significant risk regarding proper diagnosis and treatment of potentially sight-threatening and even life-threatening diseases if they are not properly evaluated by an eye doctor. Doctors of Optometry and other physicians are able to interpret refractive error changes and the possible implications of those changes to the consumer’s state of eye and general health.
The claims of those who market online eye testing should be thoroughly scrutinized and evaluated as to how they may harm patients and hinder care needed to diagnose important underlying, and often asymptomatic, health problems. Every day, in patients seen for "routine" asymptomatic eye examinations, Doctors of Optometry diagnose and manage diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, macular degeneration or cataracts. Any delay in intervention will result in progressive damage to vision, and more costly and intensive treatments later in life.
To help safeguard consumers, the AOA is committing to continued close monitoring of Internet-linked assertions about “eye exams without doctors,” and to play an even more active role in fact-checking false claims.
Sincerely,
Mitchell T. Munson, O.D.
President |
