If you wear contacts, you know how expensive and inconvenient that yearly eye exam can be. But what if you could take it at home for free?
I took an online eye exam at 1 800 Contacts as well as a comprehensive eye exam at an ophthalmologist’s office to see if I would get the same results.
In this article, I’m going to walk you through the process of taking a free eye exam at 1 800 Contacts and tell you how it went.
What I Learned When I Took an Online Eye Exam
When I took the 1 800 Contacts Express Exam, I ended up getting the same results as I did at the eye doctor’s office.
It only took about 15 minutes to complete the eye exam, there was no appointment necessary, and I got my results within two hours. The process was completely free and relatively straightforward.
However, there were a few things I wish I had known before getting started, including how to check my eligibility and what I’d need for the exam.
Who Qualifies for an Online Eye Exam?
Before you sign up for a free online eye exam at 1 800 Contacts, check your eligibility. At this time, 1 800 Contacts is only available in select states for certain ages.
If you are between the ages of 18 and 55 and live in a state that’s listed as “Eligible” below, you should be able to take the 1 800 Contacts Express Exam.
| Not Eligible | Eligible |
|---|---|
| Alaska Arizona Arkansas Delaware Georgia Hawaii Idaho Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey New Mexico North Dakota South Carolina South Dakota West Virginia |
Alabama California Colorado Connecticut Florida Illinois Kentucky Maine Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Wisconsin Wyoming |
What You’ll Need to Take the Online Eye Exam
Before taking the exam, there are a few things you’ll need to have handy for your online eye exam. Make sure you have these nearby before beginning:
- A computer with a camera and microphone accessibility
- A driver’s license or credit card for sizing
- A measuring tape
- At least 10 feet of space
The 1 800 Contacts Express Exam will take pictures of your eyes and record your verbal responses for the vision test. In order to check the size of your screen, you’ll be asked to hold a standard size driver’s license or credit card up to your computer. For the vision test itself, you’ll need to be standing 10 feet away from your computer.
Taking a Free Online Eye Exam at 1 800 Contacts
Once I’d checked my eligibility and gathered everything I needed for the online eye exam, I was ready to begin.
These are the steps I followed to get my contacts prescription renewed online at home using the 1 800 Contacts Express Exam:
1. Get Started
To get started, visit 1800contacts.com/exam and select “Start you exam.”
2. Verify Eligibility
Enter your age, the state you live in and whether or not you’ve been fitted for contact lenses before. You’ll also have to check a box indicating that you understand the Express Exam isn’t a replacement for a comprehensive eye exam.
3. Log In or Create an Account
Next, you’ll enter some basic information about yourself, including your name and email address. You can either log in to an existing account or create a new one for free to continue with the exam. Once you’ve entered all of your information, you’ll see whether or not you qualify for the exam.
4. Take Pictures of Your Eyes
The website will remind you that you’ll need to be wearing your contacts, be in a well-lit, quiet area and have 10 feet of space for the Express Exam. You’ll also need to be using a device with a camera and microphone for this process.
The exam will start by taking pictures of your eyes so that the doctor can check for redness, irritation or other visible issues. Make sure that you have your volume on as well so that you can follow the audio instructions.
Once the pictures are taken, you can confirm that they look right or take them again if you don’t think they do.
5. Adjust Your Screen Size
Next, you’ll have to adjust the size of your screen to match the visual prompt. To do this, grab a standard size credit card or driver’s license from your wallet. I held the card up to my computer screen and adjusted the size of the image with the zoom tool.
6. Stand 10 Feet Away
Once the size of the image matches your card, you’ll need to stand 10 feet away from your computer. I used a measuring tape to mark where my computer should be and where I should stand.
7. Read The On-Screen Letters
The exam will require access to both your camera and microphone. You’ll have 15 seconds to return to your marked spot. Make sure your volume is still turned on so that you can hear the audio instructions.
You’ll see letters on the screen and will be prompted to cover one eye at a time and read the letters loudly and clearly.
Once the exam is complete, you’ll need to provide a little more information about your eye health, including when your last exam was and if you’ve had any major complications since then.
8. Choose Your Contacts Brand
After that, you’ll enter the brand of contacts you currently wear.
Once you select your contacts brand, you’ll need to enter your latest prescription. I easily found all of the required information on the last printout from my optometrist.
9. Wait For Your Results
From there, you’ll have to wait for a doctor to review your results. I received my results within two hours of completing the exam, but the site notes that it could take up to 48 hours. The results from the online eye exam were the same as they were from the eye doctor I saw.
Once I received my prescription, I was able to order new contacts right away. Thankfully, I waited.
Four days after completing my online eye exam, I received an email from 1 800 Contacts asking me to take a follow-up survey on the exam. Once I completed the survey, I received a $5 credit in my 1 800 Contacts account to go toward my order!
How Does an Online Eye Exam Compare to a Traditional Eye Exam?
An online eye exam is not the same as a traditional visit to the eye doctor. Instead of a comprehensive examination, you’ll receive a brief vision test that can only check the accuracy of your current prescription.
When I visited my local optometrist, he said that online screenings work best for people who have a simple prescription.
“I think that online screen exams are not a bad thing, but you cannot make treatment decisions based on them. You have to see what’s going on with the patient,” said Dr. David Blandford of the Kentucky Eye Institute.
That means a regular visit to your in-person optometrist is still very necessary for your eye health.
After having an in-person eye exam and taking the online eye exam at 1 800 Contacts, I noticed these major differences:
1. Price and Convenience
The online eye exam was completely free, which is a major difference from what I paid at the optometrist. It was also very convenient to be able to take an eye exam at home. I didn’t have to schedule anything ahead of time and it only took about 15 minutes, compared to the hours I was waiting at the doctor’s office.
2. Comprehensiveness
My in-person eye exam was much more comprehensive than the free online eye exam. The doctor was able to check my overall eye health and accurately assess my prescription using medical instruments and experience.
While a doctor in my state reviewed the results of my online exam, he or she was only able to review pictures and audio recordings.
3. Communication
As with any online experience, communication was very limited during my free eye exam. I wasn’t able to ask or answer questions online beyond the company’s live chat feature or calling customer service. Neither of these methods put me in contact with the eye doctor.
Taking an in-person eye exam guarantees at least some time with an optometrist to ask questions and provide more relevant information.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the free online eye exam was much more convenient (and affordable!) compared to a traditional eye doctor visit. Still, I felt a great deal more confident about my prescription and eye health after my in-person exam.
Like the disclaimer says at the beginning of the 1 800 Contacts Express Exam, getting your eyes checked online is not a replacement for a comprehensive in-person visit.
If your annual eye exam is coming up and you need new contacts now, this free test is a great way to renew your prescription. Still, it’s important to visit an eye doctor regularly to keep tabs on your ocular health.
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