I usually spend the weeks leading up to my annual eye checkup both eager to see clearly again and anxious about the appointment itself. The solo wait in a dim room. Waiting for a practitioner who’s inevitably behind schedule. Debating between row one or two; two or three; yes, two or three again. Feeling like I’m failing what should be a very simple test.
So I was genuinely curious when I discovered that vision exams were another service you can complete online, without any doctor present or in-person interaction. Even better? It was free. Free as in no charge.
I spotted a deal from 1-800 Contacts ($19.99 for a contacts prescription, and $10 to add a glasses prescription), and the ability to take the test repeatedly at no extra cost let me figure out how to get a vision prescription that suited me.
After my first session, I couldn’t stop telling people about it. Convenient! Affordable! And way more entertaining than a typical eye appointment—it felt more like playing a video game.
How an Online Vision Test Works
After you answer a few brief health questions, the exam starts on your computer. You’ll receive a link and access code to connect to the test via your phone. Your phone functions as a remote to register your choices.
If you already wear glasses or contacts, you’ll put them on and submit your present prescription. Depending on your refractive error (I’m nearsighted), the questions may differ from mine. The assessment begins with a color-vision screening, which you take from a normal sitting distance in front of the screen.
Next, you’ll be asked an odd question for an eye test: What’s your shoe size? That tells the system how many steps you should move away from the computer (I had to step back 13, so clear plenty of space).
From here, the exam resembles a standard eye check, minus the pressure to pick the “right” answer. (One in-person visit I couldn’t read any letters on the chart; my optometrist then displayed an enormous “O” that filled the screen. That one I could see.)
To assess your distance vision, the test asks you to spot the X amid rows of ever-smaller O’s. For astigmatism (which I have), you’ll respond to a sequence of prompts choosing the square that looks sharpest. During each segment you’ll cover your right eye, then your left, completing the questions once per eye.
Overall, the test is straightforward, easy to follow and offers encouraging messages like “Remember to breathe!” and “You’re doing great!”—words of reassurance I didn’t know I wanted during an eye test until now.
After Finishing the Exam
The exam takes roughly 15 minutes to complete. When finished, an optometrist licensed in your state will review your responses and issue a prescription within 24 hours. I took the test at night, and every time I woke up to find a new prescription in my inbox the following morning.
I completed the online test four times total and discovered that obtaining a good result is more craft than pure precision. I received a different prescription each time, and I could tell right away that a few of those outcomes wouldn’t work well for my new contacts.
Though I didn’t know which prescription would ultimately suit me, my left eye’s acuity had worsened and the first few results matched my then-current contacts. It wasn’t until the fourth try—when I left a detailed note for the doctor outlining my concerns—that I finally got a prescription I was pleased with. I recommend adding as much information as possible about any issues with your current prescription so the doctor can write a more accurate update.
If you have underlying eye-health conditions, or you’re at an age where cataracts and related issues are possible, an online vision test isn’t appropriate. Also note that the term “exam” is somewhat generous here, as this check doesn’t go beyond updating your visual prescription.
It’s still wise to see a provider in person every few years to screen for problems, but if you only need an updated prescription or you lack insurance I strongly suggest trying an online test. Providers such as 1-800-Contacts, Opternative and Simple Contacts offer online exams either free or at low cost. You might also check resources on telehealth cost savings to weigh the benefits.
No time off work, no jittery eye-test nerves, and finally being able to read the clock across the room.
