I Took a Vision Test in 90 Seconds with a Robot and Saw the Future of Vision Care

Getting a prescription for glasses has always been the same: You make an appointment with an optician, sit in an exam room while someone examines lenses and asks you which one is best, and wait at least a week for your new glasses to arrive. Not to mention paying out of pocket if you don’t have vision insurance.

Eyebot, an AI-powered health technology company, wants to make that process optional and make vision testing more accessible.

A Boston-based startup has built a self-service kiosk that delivers an updated prescription for glasses in less than 90 seconds with no appointment or insurance required. I got to check it out, and the experience was much more seamless than I expected.

What is Eyebot?

Simply put, Eyebot is a kiosk that offers non-invasive vision tests on a touch screen. The process begins with an intake that asks if you currently wear glasses or have pre-existing vision conditions. Those with certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, are directed to seek personal care.

Then, you will see the letters on the screen, and you write down which letters you see, the same as when you take the test in person. After that, the bot performs a vision scan using a non-contact eye scanner that collects refraction (it pinpoints the lens prescription needed to correct your vision), lensometry (if you already use glasses, it scans your glasses and measures the power of your existing glasses) and acuity (measures how clearly you see) information.

“Eyebot is a vision testing solution that allows you to get a vision test in four easy steps, similar to what you would get at an eyeglass clinic,” Matthias Hofman, CEO at Eyebot, told CNET. The four steps are: intake survey, visual acuity test, phone physician review and prescription.

The whole process takes about 90 seconds. Your results are then sent to a licensed optometrist for review. Instructions are available 24 hours after the test. I got mine in about 30 minutes.

However, Eyebot is not a substitute for your eye doctor. It is designed to help millions of people who cannot access one due to lack of accessibility or affordability.

My first impression of Eyebot

When I first went to the Eyebot site, which I was invited to check out at the PR office, I was a little skeptical. It looks like a shiny ATM opposite a photobooth. I went in skeptical, but I came out impressed. It felt like something out of a futuristic movie, but what’s more, the process was so straightforward and intuitive that even a non-tech-savvy person could use the device without a problem.

I followed the instructions on the screen, and saw the bot capture my eyes. All done within 2 minutes. About 30 minutes later, I received an email with my prescription.

After I got my results, I went online to The Framery at 1-800 Contacts, ordered glasses with my new prescription and received them in about five business days. Overall, the experience was quick and seamless.

I compared my prescription to the one I received during my in-person eye exam last year, and they were very similar. My optometrist last year showed mild nearsightedness and astigmatism in both eyes. Eyebot read my opinion as successfully neutral — a difference worth flagging. Since my nearsightedness and astigmatism are minimal and the eye doctor’s prescription he reviewed after using the Eyebot included a small amount of vision correction, I don’t see any difference between my old and new glasses. I didn’t have my glasses either. Eyebot can scan your current glasses and identify your prescription, but I wasn’t able to test that feature.

How much does it cost to get a vision test with Eyebot?

The vision test itself can cost up to $25 in most places. At Walmart Vision Centers, visiting the Eyebot kiosk includes a $25 handling fee. For Sam’s Club members, service is covered under membership ($60 or more per year) of participating clubs. That’s a big difference from a traditional personal vision test, which runs between $100 to $200 without insurance.

“Half of the American population doesn’t even have vision insurance, so if we can get retailers to subsidize the cost, that’s great for consumers,” Hofman said.

Getting a prescription is part of the battle, as you still need glasses. Eyebot partnered with The Framery at 1-800 Contacts to create a one-stop shop experience. Once you create an account with The Framery using the same email you used for Eyebot, you can automatically see your prescription and order glasses on the website.

Prescription glasses at The Framery range from $69 to $129, depending on the frame you choose.

Where to find Eyebot

Eyebot kiosks are expanding at various Walmart Vision Centers and Sam’s Club Optical Centers in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Utah and Virginia, with plans for continued growth. If you’d like to find an Eyebot near you, you can visit the website to view current locations.

What you need to know before canceling your next eye appointment

The eyebot is worth a try, but not without a few caveats. I think it’s best for adults who need a prescription update and don’t have a complicated vision history. Eyebot cannot diagnose glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or other eye conditions like a comprehensive eye exam with a doctor. Those conditions don’t always come with obvious symptoms, and the 90-second kiosk test won’t catch them, so it’s best to keep visiting your eye doctor for regular exams.

The American Optometric Association has been clear that this type of technology does not replace your annual eye exam, especially if you haven’t had a comprehensive eye exam in over a year or have a family history of eye disease.

But for the average sighted person who’s been squinting at their screens a bit lately and can’t find the time for an eye exam, or can’t afford it, Eyebot can fill the gap.