Software Engineer

Automated vision-testing kiosks face concerns amid national expansion. With the launch of a new pilot program in December - and a new optical partnership just last month - Eyebot is continuing to expand the national rollout of its automated vision testing technology. Amidst these advancements, however, national and state optometric associations are raising patient safety and regulatory concerns over the self-administered tests. Let's begin with a look at Eyebot. Founded in 2021 - and funded by the National Science Foundation and venture capitalists - the Boston, Massachusetts-based company has developed a self-serve, automated vision testing system built around a standalone kiosk. Some details on this technology: * It's designed as an automated visual assessment with on-screen instructions accessible via an intuitive interface * The touch-free vision test quickly captures measurements for eyeglass prescriptions through cameras and sensors * These measurements are interpreted to assess refractive errors and other vision characteristics (myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, eye misalignment) * Following this automated evaluation process, the results are remotely reviewed and validated by a licensed eyecare provider (ECP) for final review * Once reviewed, a prescription is then finalized and generated What type of information is collected during this process? The test captures refraction, lensometry, and visual acuity (VA) information. And regarding those remote ECPs: These experts (or their technicians) gather: * Multiple points of patient data (see above) * Any current eyeglass settings * Past prescriptions * Personal characteristics * To note: This test is designed for patients aged 18-64. Once that information is collected, then a "well-tolerated prescription" is generated. How long does the vision test take? Around 90 seconds, according to Eyebot. * See the entire "Eyebot Rx Method" here - delivered via the company's S1+ kiosk. As for these prescriptions: They're available either immediately or within 24 hours after the vision test. So where can these kiosks be found? The kiosks are reportedly already available at malls, universities, retail stores, and grocery chains across California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. * See here for details on Eyebot's 2024 partnership with Zenni Optical to launch its kiosks in high-traffic locations around New England. * Click here for more on a new optical partnership Eyebot kicked off with The Framery at 1-800 Contacts in January. And as Eyebot shared in December 2025, the company has begun piloting its kiosks in several Walmart Vision Centers and Sam's Club Optical Centers across Pennsylvania to complement existing in-store and in-club optical services. * See here for those locations. * An international expansion of its kiosks is also reportedly planned for 2026. Is there a cost? A $25 administrative fee applies (though Sam's Club members are reportedly covered under their membership). Now, how does this compare to a standard comprehensive eye exam? Some reports have noted a few key differences between these two testing options, with one finding that an Eyebot-generated prescription is an exact match to one written by an ECP. * Pro: Speed, convenience, and accessibility versus an in-person eye exam * Con: The kiosk is unable to run medical tests such as measuring intraocular pressure (IOP), which is critical in identifying potential glaucoma risk Has the test undergone any clinical validations? Apparently so. According to Eyebot, its second-generation (Gen2) touch-free autorefractor technology is reportedly on par with gold-standard clinical systems - and has been tested in two Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved clinical studies (to date). These two studies enrolled a combined total of nearly 800 participants. What do we know about those studies? In response to Glance's request for details, Eyebot shared information on the studies' setup and findings, emphasizing that its vision test kiosk "does not deliver prescriptions." In the first study: * The setup: Participants underwent a traditional comprehensive eye exam as well as, during the same visit, completed an Eyebot kiosk-administered vision test. * Data from both of these sessions were anonymized and compared in a side-by-side analysis to support system calibration. * The findings: After using the data to calibrate the Eyebot system, device performance was found to be closely matching to the prescriptions written by an eye care provider (ECP) following an in-person eye exam. And in the second study: * The setup: Participants underwent a traditional comprehensive eye exam as well as an Eyebot vision test - with prescriptions generated for both methods by licensed optometrists. * Patients then tested each prescription using a trial frame in a randomized order; completed a visual acuity (VA) test; and rated their satisfaction on a sale of 1 (very unhappy) to 5 (very happy) * To note: Patients were blinded to which prescriptions they were testing during each trial * The findings: The optometrist-written prescriptions generated through Eyebot sessions resulted in participants achieving 20/20 VA at the same rate as prescriptions from their optometrist. * Satisfaction scores were comparable between both prescriptions. Next: talk about those concerns you mentioned earlier. This vision testing technology has drawn criticism from several state and national optometric organizations who have voiced their concerns to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FDA. Among the issues highlighted: A need for the technology to undergo further assessments in order to safeguard patients' health and privacy, as well as ensure Eyebot's compliance with federal rules and regulations. Go on... While the AOA noted that Eyebot doesn't advertise its kiosks as eye exams, "the language is similar enough that patients without prior knowledge may assume they are receiving the full breadth of services they receive during an in-person eye exam." * See here for more on the organization's stance. Hone in on the patient safety portion of this. Chris Wroten, OD, chair of the American Optometric Association's New Technology Committee, noted that the organization aims to embrace technology - not stifle innovation - but only that which advances patient care. * "Some technologies, whether intentional or unintentional, may endanger patients in the pursuit of profits," he stated. "As new innovations roll out, there is an opportunity for standards of care to be compromised, so as the primary eye care profession, organized optometry must remain vigilant on behalf of our patients." Have any steps been taken to support this yet? One notable change: The AOA revised its Policy Statement on Telemedicine in Optometry to include references to technology similar to the Eyebot. "Direct-to-patient technology should not be used as a replacement for a comprehensive eye exam or for diagnostic eye, health or vision conditions," the organization stated. * See page 9 of the updated policy statement for the exact wording. And what's the consensus from a state perspective? This topic was actually at the center of a recent patient safety alert issued by the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) last month. * Keep in mind: Pennsylvania currently has that Eyebot pilot program in place at several Walmart and Sams' Clubs locations. In this alert: The POA urged patients to consult with their local optometrist to ensure they get accurate information regarding the outcomes of any results they receive from what it referred to as "virtually unregulated, stand-alone vision kiosks." And the message they wanted to get across to patients? As new direct-to-patient products enter the market - and as bold claims about what they can do are put forward - the organization noted: * "We want to make sure the public understands relevant warnings and disclaimers, especially when they can be obscured by marketing tactics and fine print." Duly noted. But has Eyebot said its vision tests are a replacement for eye exams? Nope. In fact: The developers have emphasized that patients who undergo an Eyebot vision test should still see an ECP for detailed diagnosis and treatment plans - particularly for complex ocular conditions. Additionally: Coverage of the technology noted that the kiosk test "obviously doesn't replace a comprehensive eye exam by a trained optometrist," and described it as a "first step - a 'pre-check' if you will" to help point patients in the right direction of seeking professional medical advice. * "But for routine checks or early detection, the Eyebot seems to be a game-changer in the world of vision care," one report concluded. So where does that leave us? For now, Eyebot's nation-wide expansion appears to still be underway - and it remains to be seen what (if anything) will arise from the AOA's (and POA) recently voiced concerns and words of caution for patients. And while the AOA noted that "telemedicine offers the opportunity for high-value, high-quality eye, health and vision care, expanding access for patients and improving implementation of care," the organization added that "important criteria must be met to ensure these (technology) services meet the existing standard of care." * "If new technology contributes to care coordination, protects and promotes the doctor-patient relationship, and meets state and licensure and legal requirements, it will be welcomed into the optometry toolbox."

Eyebot, a Boston-based startup, has raised $26 million to expand its AI-powered vision testing kiosks that deliver eyeglass prescriptions in under three minutes. The technology uses wavefront aberrometry to provide rapid, accurate results. The company has partnered with major retailers including Walmart and 1-800 Contacts to improve accessibility to vision care. However, the American Optometric Association has raised concerns about the kiosks' limitations in detecting broader health issues. Eyebot positions its kiosks as supplements to professional eye care rather than replacements. The funding will support further deployment of the technology across retail locations, making vision testing more convenient and accessible to consumers.