ST . LOUIS , Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Today, the American Optometric Association (AOA) issued a consumer health alert to guide the public on key questions that individuals should ask when considering the use of online vision tests. The AOA warns Americans to be aware of products that will give the particular mistaken impression that their devices can substitute with regard to an in-person, comprehensive eye examination performed by a doctor of optometry or that they may shortcut getting a contact lens or eyeglasses prescription.
“The AOA takes seriously our role in providing accurate information regarding vision health and vision care to the American public, ” says AOA President Robert C. Layman , O. D. “As new direct-to-consumer products enter the market, it’s critical regarding the public in order to be aware of the potential limitations associated with certain technologies. Patients ought to work with their doctors to make use of wellness technologies that will enhance care, and not be misled by questionable marketing claims that undermine it. ”
Doctors of optometry in communities nationwide utilize proven technology every day to deliver the highest quality care to their patients and seek out new systems that accomplish this each day. With the proliferation of online apps, optometry plus other health care providers have continued to raise concerns about their safety and efficacy—including disrupting the particular doctor-patient relationship, the potential for inaccurate prescriptions, missed diagnoses associated with serious and general health conditions, plus the creation of the prescription along with little input from an eye doctor.
The consumer health alert poses five important questions for consumers, including:
- Can you find the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval statement for the company and its test, and is the company operating within that authority?
- Do you know the doctor of optometry or ophthalmologist who is prescribing your contact lenses?
- Are you asked in order to sign any forms that will seek to release the organization from liability?
- Are you able to ask the doctor who is recommending the contact lenses any queries when you are using an online eyesight test?
- What does a particular online vision test actually assess?
Patients need to end up being wary of any kind of company that claims its device can replace the care that a doctor provides. Many attention and eyesight problems have no obvious signs or symptoms, so you might not know a problem exists. During an in-person, comprehensive eyesight exam, a doctor of optometry is able to assess the health of the eyes and eye tissue, potentially identifying more than 270 wellness and sight-threatening diseases, including hypertension, stroke, diabetes and even certain forms of cancer—some of which can be cured or even slowed through early diagnosis and treatment.
The AOA is a consistent advocate in ensuring patients have access to medically recognized eyes healthcare plus to protect patients from companies, platforms or services that may put their own health at risk. Eyeglasses and contacts are medical devices, and patients need to inform themselves and do their research before they purchase any corrective eyewear. Regardless of where a patient chooses to purchase glasses or get in touch with lenses, they should first receive a comprehensive eye examination with a doctor of optometry to assess their particular eye health.
For more information on eye health insurance and vision, or to find a local AOA doctor associated with optometry, visit AOA. org.
About The United states Optometric Association (AOA)
The American Optometric Organization (AOA) is the leading expert on plus advocate intended for quality vision health treatment, representing a lot more than 44, 000 physicians of optometry, optometry students and optometric professionals. As the sole primary eye care provider in many communities across America, doctors of optometry are often a patient’s first entry point into the health treatment system, and have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders, diseases, and injuries that affect the attention and visual system. Through a nationwide public health initiative, AOA’s Eye Deserve More campaign is fostering awareness of the importance of eyesight health plus vision care and the overall health benefits of in-person, comprehensive eye examinations with AOA doctors of optometry for all Americans.
SOURCE American Optometric Association
