It is possible to test your eyes online without visiting an eye specialist. The aim of these online tests is to save time and effort you may exert to go to your eye doctor to examine your eyes. Many companies now offer online test using your computer or Smartphone. The test may examine your visual acuity, look if you have a condition called astigmatism which is an eye problem that can cause blurred vision, check eye sensitivity to light and examine color vision to look if you have color-blindness.
These online tests can be important if you lose your glasses and if there is no facility nearby to go to. With the help of these online services you can get a new prescription to glasses. In addition, you can depend on this service to monitor your visual acuity and refractive error between regular eye check-up. However, using this service does not mean that you can neglect your regular visits to an eye specialist.
The online tests only check your vision and find if you have refractive errors, but don’t indicate how healthy your eyes are. These tests do not detect serious eye problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. Eye infections and injuries also need a face to face examination by an eye doctor to determine the severity of your condition and decide the best management option.
Who can get the benefit from online eye examinations?
Actually, this service is designed mainly for healthy adults from 18-39 years old and with the following conditions:
- Have a prescription for glasses, but they are not working properly or not powerful enough.
- You have already visited an eye specialist and know that your eyes are healthy but only need to verify.
- There is no risk for eye complications due to diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
You shouldn’t rely completely on online eye exams. Regular visits to an eye doctor may make sure that your eyes are healthy.
How online eye tests are performed?
In order to do online eye tests you must have a computer and a good place with sufficient space, so you can test your vision at variable distances. A Smartphone is needed if you wish to use mobile applications designed to test your vision. During the test, you should wear your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses if you are already wearing them. If these tests indicate any problems in your vision, you must visit your eye specialist for further examination of your eyes. Some websites may also give you a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts depending on the outcome of your vision test. The process is also evaluated by an eye doctor who will check your online result and send the prescription to you through email.
Risks of online eye tests:
- As mentioned earlier, online eye exams can’t replace face to face visit to your eye specialist. You should know that during this service there is no professional eye specialist to thoroughly examine your eyes, check that they are healthy and detect threatening eye problems. So, relying on these tests alone can delay diagnosis of eye diseases that may threaten your vision.
- There is a chance that the online test may not be completely correct and can lead to incorrect eyeglasses prescription even if the result of the online test is reviewed by an eye doctor.
Online eye exams may be a time saving new option for eye care and eye health, but it does not work well alone. If combined with regular comprehensive eye exams you will enjoy the best option for your eye health.
