Can teleoptometry replace an in-person eye exam?
Eye care providers can do virtual visits. Find out whether they offer people the same level of care as an in-person appointment.
Telehealth has become a more widely used practice across many areas of healthcare, including eye care. Telehealth is when a person can see their provider online.1 (This is sometimes called “telemedicine” or “virtual care.”)
Depending on where a person lives and their health insurance plan, they may have access to teleoptometry to see their eye care provider. (This is sometimes called “ocular telemedicine.”)
It's a growing trend in the field of eye care — but will it ever replace traditional in-person visits? Read on to find out.
Did you know that UnitedHealthcare Vision members may be able to renew their prescription online at no cost using ExpressExam? Learn more about this convenient option now.2
What is teleoptometry, and what can a person do during a visit?
Teleoptometry is a type of telehealth. It's when a patient uses technology to talk to an eye care provider. Typically, the patient will visit a clinic or an office and work with a trained technician who performs any tests and operates the equipment. The eye care provider will then conduct a comprehensive eye exam virtually. There are also at-home teleoptometry visits, where no technician is present. These appointments are not comprehensive.
According to the National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP), teleoptometry can be a valuable tool to improve access to care, enhance provider-patient communication and support continuity of care.3
It’s important to understand that teleoptometry is not a full replacement for a traditional in-person eye exam.3 Instead, it complements care by offering services that can be safely and effectively delivered remotely.
Teleoptometry may include:
- Triage (deciding where or when to go for care)
- Preliminary vision screenings
- Consultations
- Remote refraction (to update glasses or contact lens prescriptions)
- Follow-up consultations
- Patient education and counseling
- Monitoring of certain chronic eye conditions
These services are typically delivered through secure video conferencing platforms or specialized telehealth systems.
What teleoptometry can’t replace
Despite its benefits, teleoptometry does have some limitations. It cannot replace a comprehensive eye exam, especially those that require:
- Dilated retinal exams
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute eye conditions
- Eye emergencies
For example, an eye emergency, like sudden blurry vision, can sometimes be caused by a stroke.4 (That’s when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.) Since a stroke can be life-threatening, it’s important to go to the emergency room or call 911 right away.
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What are some of the pros of teleoptometry?
The pros of teleoptometry include:
- Accessibility. It can reach people in remote, rural or underserved areas. It can also be good for people who have mobility issues. That could be someone who uses a wheelchair or is on crutches after an injury.3
- Convenience. Patients can have virtual visits from nearby clinics, which may save time.
- Coordinating care. It can make communication between a person’s eye care provider and their other providers easier.
- Support for early detection. Teleoptometry can use quick screenings and triage to determine if an in-person visit with an eye care provider is necessary, which can lead to faster care when urgent issues arise.
What are some of the cons of teleoptometry?
Some cons include:
- Inability to perform certain services. An eye care provider can’t perform a dilated eye exam or other exams that need special drops.
- Limited diagnostic capabilities. It may not be as easy for managing and treating serious eye conditions, like glaucoma, cataracts or diabetic eye disease.5
- Potential technical issues. There may be technology malfunctions during a virtual visit.
Will teleoptometry ever replace in-person eye care?
Teleoptometry will likely be available to more people over time. It will also likely become more technologically advanced.
It’s unlikely that teleoptometry will ever fully replace in-person eye exams. Certain services, like dilated eye exams, still require an eye care provider’s hands-on care.
Something else you can do entirely online? UnitedHealthcare Vision has a “virtual mirror” tool that you can use to virtually try on glasses. Check it out today.
Sources:
- Why use telehealth? Health Resources & Services Administration, last updated February 2024.
- For virtual prescription renewal only. ExpressExam may not be available for all vision plans and is not in all states.
- Ocular telemedicine — vision plan covered services and provider guidelines National Association of Vision Care Plans, June 2020.
- Blurry vision All About Vision, last updated March 2024.
- Using telemedicine to expand diabetic retinopathy screening American Journal of Managed Care, August 2024.
