TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sesame – Best Overall
Sesame’s dynamic marketplace gives patients the tools to see an optometrist, get an online vision test, and more – regardless of location, income, or insurance status.
1-800-Contacts – Best for Contacts
1-800-Contacts makes re-ordering contact lenses fast and efficient with their Express Exam, which lets users take a simple online vision test to confirm that their prescription is still valid.
Lensabl – Best for Eyeglass Prescriptions
Customers with contact lenses or prescription glasses can take advantage of Lensabl’s brief, ophthalmologist-reviewed online eye exam to confirm that their prescriptions are still valid.
Lens.com – Best Customer Satisfaction Guarantee
In addition to allowing users to confirm that their contact lens prescriptions are still valid, Lens.com offers a customer satisfaction guarantee on all products ordered through their website.
Essilor – Best Vision Screening
Using computer and smartphone technology, Essilor provides a free, fast online vision screening to test visual acuity, light sensitivity, color vision, and other key aspects of sight.
Zeiss Vision Care – Runner-up: Best Vision Screening
Zeiss is another platform that offers basic vision screenings for free via their website to help patients identify areas of concern that need to be addressed with an eye doctor.
In curating our list of the best online eye exams, we looked for providers that are trustworthy, convenient, and place patient safety first.
There are two main types of online eye care available: basic vision screenings, to help determine if a comprehensive eye exam is needed; and eye exams, to confirm glasses or contact lens prescriptions. In order to make recommendations for all types of patients, we included both types of services on our list.
One of the key selling points of an online eye exam is convenience. We looked for services that require only minimal set-up, as well as tools that most people have handy, including a computer or smartphone with a microphone. We also prioritized services that have a quick turnaround time for results, so users can proactively take the next steps.
For online eye exams for prescription renewals, it’s key that a board-certified optometrist reviews the results to confirm that you have the right prescription for your contact lenses or glasses. All eye exam services on our list include an optometrist review as standard practice.
Sesame describes itself as a “superstore for great doctors and specialists,” providing a database of care options at discounted prices by paying care providers directly. Sesame can help you find a wide range of services in your area, from optometry and prescriptions to dentistry and mental health. Their website also allows you to search for care in four different ways – by location, by care type, by specialty, or by symptom – so you should have no problem finding vision services to suit your needs.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
$25 for a video vision assessment $176 for a comprehensive eye exam |
No | –Discounted rates for optometrists and specialists –Telehealth options –Free lab or blood test per year (with Plus membership) –Discounts on prescriptions –More features at Sesame |
Pros and Cons of Sesame
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What Are Customers Saying?
“I don’t have insurance and couldn’t risk paying hundreds for a bill. Knowing how much to pay upfront meant I could actually afford my doctor on Sesame.”
Launched in 1995, 1-800-Contacts is an e-commerce pioneer, making it faster and easier than ever for customers to purchase their contact lenses. They have recently made the process even more convenient by offering their Express Exam, which lets customers renew their prescription online without having to visit their eye doctor.
The Express Exam process is simple. Customers answer basic questions about their age, location, and eye health history to confirm their eligibility for the online exam. Eligible customers upload pictures of their eyes so the doctor can check for redness or irritation, followed by a simple vision test to check if the patient can see clearly in their current contacts. Customers must have a smartphone or computer with a camera and microphone to complete the vision test.
A board-certified ophthalmologist will review the results within 24 hours, and determine if the prescription is valid, or if adjustments are necessary.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
Free | Prescription renewal eye exam | -HIPAA-compliant -Mobile app -24/7/365 access -More features at 1-800-Contacts |
Pros & Cons of 1-800-Contacts Online Eye Exam
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What Customers Are Saying
Customers appreciate 1-800-Contacts Express Exam for saving them both time and money. “The online exam was very easy to do, and it saved me $60!” writes one user. “It was a quick and easy process, and my contacts were shipped and delivered to my house in three days.”
Lensabl advertises itself as a one-stop for all things optical, including contact lenses, eyeglass frames, and eyeglass lenses. As an added convenience, customers can also complete an online vision test to renew their prescription from any location.
Lensabl’s online vision test takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. This includes the time it takes to answer basic questions to confirm that you are eligible for an online vision test and enter information about your current prescription. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will complete the vision test using a computer or smartphone. The exam will assess whether your current contact lens or eyeglass prescription is still valid.
All exam results are reviewed by a board-certified ophthalmologist to ensure that they are accurate and that the prescription should be renewed. Within 24 hours, users will receive their prescription or instructions for further assessment.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
Free | Prescription renewal eye exam | -Contact and glasses lenses available -Results within 24 hours -Free shipping -More features at Lensabl |
Pros & Cons of Lensabl Online Eye Exam
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What Customers Are Saying
Customers who have turned to Lensabl when a visit to an in-person eye doctor isn’t feasible have been pleased with the service. “When I needed an update on my prescriptions, I researched online and found Lensabi,” writes one customer. “They are a great company, and I will definitely use them again.”
Lens.com is another contact lens ordering service that facilitates the process by letting users complete their prescription renewal with an online eye exam.
To verify that their contact lens prescription is still accurate with a Lens.com online eye exam, customers must first create an account and answer initial screening questions to confirm their eligibility for an online exam. They will also enter their current prescription information.
After following the set-up instructions, customers will complete a series of vision tests administered through their computer. Answers are recorded via smartphone, which acts as a remote control for the test.
A board-certified ophthalmologist reviews users’ test results, medical histories, and prescriptions before issuing a prescription renewal or making a recommendation for further assessment. Once a valid prescription is issued, customers can purchase their new contact lenses through Lens.com or an eye care retailer of their choice.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
Free | Prescription renewal eye exam | -HIPAA-compliant -Available for adults 22-55 -Money-back guarantee -More features at Lens.com |
Pros & Cons of Lens.com Online Eye Exam
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What Customers Are Saying
Lens.com has built a loyal customer following by providing fast, reliable service. “Using Lens.com was easy and fast,” writes one user. “There was no hassle for getting my script approved, which I thought would take much longer. I will absolutely keep ordering from this site.”
Many people remember having their vision tested by a school nurse when they were elementary students. While not a comprehensive eye exam, these tests help identify possible vision problems that need further assessment and remediation.
Thanks to computer and smartphone technology, those types of vision assessments are now available to everyone from the comfort of their own home. Essilor, a leading international ophthalmic optics company, is one such provider of these online vision tests.
With Essilor, the process is fast and simple. Using only a computer, patients complete basic tests to assess different aspects of their vision, including visual acuity, astigmatism, light sensitivity, near vision, color vision, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Based on their answers, users will receive results and recommendations for further actions. While not a replacement for a comprehensive eye exam, this vision test can help patients identify problem areas to discuss with their eye doctor.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
Free | Vision test | -Mobile app -Glossary of ophthalmology terms -Multiple assessments -More features at Essilor |
Pros & Cons of Essilor Online Eye Exam
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Zeiss, an international optics and optoelectronic company, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of eyeglass lenses. As such, they offer patients a range of tools to help maintain and improve their vision, including a free online vision test.
Offered through a partnership with Eye Health America, Zeiss’s online vision screening is designed to test visual acuity, contrast vision, and color vision. It is meant to be used as a guide to help users identify any potential trouble areas with their vision and determine if an in-person, comprehensive eye exam is necessary.
After a few basic set-up steps, users will complete three quick tasks to assess the sharpness of their vision, their contrast sensitivity, and their perception of colors. Based on their answers, users will be notified if there are any areas of concern related to these three aspects of vision.
Price | Services Available | More Features |
Free | Vision test | -HIPAA-compliant -Eye doctor directory -Educational resources -More features at Zeiss Vision Care |
Pros & Cons of Zeiss Vision Care Online Eye Exam
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An online eye exam or vision screening is not a replacement for an in-person, comprehensive eye health exam. The frequency of in-person eye exams depends on many factors, including age, overall health, medical history, and whether you wear corrective lenses or have other vision problems. Generally speaking, it’s recommended that adults have an in-person eye exam at least every five years.
Online eye exams can be convenient tools for individuals who need to renew a prescription, while vision screenings can help individuals preliminary identify issues. However, these types of services do not test all of the aspects of eye health, including eye muscles, glaucoma screenings, retinal exams, visual field, and more.
“Literature shows that with the improvement of imaging and video conferencing technology along with the need for social distancing, the use of tele-optometry is becoming more useful and acceptable with patients,” says Susy Salvo-Wendt, telehealth specialist
For patients using an online eye exam as a way to confirm a contact or eyeglass lens prescription, different services may limit eligibility based on age, medical history, and whether the individual has other vision problems.
Additionally, consumers may also run into state restrictions when it comes to getting an online eye exam. Regulations for online vision care have been a subject of ongoing debate for several years, resulting in a patchwork of access to these services.
As with many areas of medicine and healthcare, much of the current news about online optometry and eye exams reflects how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting these services.