Eyecare community raises red flags over Opternative

Chicago-Online refraction is officially here with the last week’s launch of Opternative, a company offering its online vision test to the public for the first time.

How it works

CEO Aaron Dallek says he and Steven Lee, OD, founded Opternative to provide an option for otherwise healthy patients who may not require a yearly exam but may still need a new prescription.

The company offers an online vision test through its website, Opternative.com. The test takes about 25 minutes, and the patient can take the test via a computer or smartphone. An ophthalmologist verifies the prescription, and it is provided digitally to the patient within 24 hours. The patient can receive a prescription for glasses or contact lenses for $40 or for both for $60.

Related: Blink in-home vision test worries ODs

Dallek says patient satisfaction is guaranteed. If a patient is not happy with the way she sees with the glasses or contact lenses she received using the Opternative prescription, the company will recheck the prescription. If the company cannot correct the problem, Opternative will offer a full refund.

“There is no risk in trying the Opternative eye exam,” Dallek says.

The test is currently available in 27 states, but the company has plans to expand to more states soon.

Internal server error