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Online Eye Tests: What You Should Know

Image of an eye doctor holding a pair of glasses with an eye test next to him on a laptop screen

Online eye tests allow you to determine your prescription and purchase glasses from the comfort of your own home. However, getting your eyes checked in front of a computer is very different than a face-to-face exam with an eye doctor. In fact, online vision tests come with many risks. If you’re considering one, here’s what you should know.

What are online eye tests? Online eye tests are done on a computer, tablet or smartphone over the internet. The tests lead you through a series of assessments to measure your visual acuity and refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism) to determine your eyeglass prescription. In some cases, other vision tests, such as contrast sensitivity and colour blindness are included. However, these measurements are only a small part of a comprehensive eye exam. Risks of online eye tests Online vision tests have various limitations. For example, during an in-person exam, an eye doctor can adjust your prescription based on your age, occupation and hobbies. They can also prescribe a prism in the lenses to help with binocularity and prevent double vision. Online eye exams can’t do any of this. Moreover, online eye tests don’t verify the health of your eyes to determine if you have any vision-threatening conditions. Eye doctors use special eye drops to dilate your pupils and see inside your eyes during an in-person eye exam. This allows them to spot the first signs of vision conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. That’s why it’s always best to see an eye doctor in person. Another risk associated with online tests is doing the test wrong. User mistakes can lead to prescription errors. Consequently, you could buy glasses that give you blurry vision and headaches. You may think an online test will save you money. However, your health insurance policy may not cover the fees of an online test. Moreover, if you get glasses with the wrong prescription, you may end up spending more money than you would by visiting an eye doctor. In short, online eye tests can’t replace an in-person vision screening done by an eye doctor. Eye exams in Edmonton At Optometrists’ Clinic Inc., we provide general eye exams, eye exams for children and diabetic eye exams. We also offer a wide variety of brand-name fashionable eyewear and contact lenses. To schedule an eye exam with one of our optometrists, contact us today at one of our five locations in the Edmonton area.

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