Earlier this week, the glasses company everyone loves, Warby Parker, launched a new app called Prescription Check that lets you check your vision without having to swing by the optometrist.
![Took you long enough…](https://20627419.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/20627419/hubfs/The%20Hustle/Assets/Images/285703652-5.25_warby.webp?width=595&height=400&name=285703652-5.25_warby.webp)
It’s actually pretty neat how they did it, too
In order to administer the Snellen eye exam (the one with the big “E” up top), you need a phone, a computer, and a credit card.
The app launches on both the phone and computer, and has you set the card in the bottom right corner of a computer screen that the phone app “sees” to measure distance and tell you where to stand for the test.
Like we said, neat — but there are some hidden costs
While Warby Parker’s motivations are clear — help people buy glasses online faster with less friction — cutting out doctors has some serious concerns.
For example, by self-administering an eye exam, patients miss out on in-person screening for something more serious, like glaucoma.
But Warby’s trying to do it the right way
This app isn’t meant to be a full replacement for going to the optometrist… yet. In fact, it’s only available for people between 18 and 40 in 4 states who are already WP customers.
Plus, after a doctor reviews the results, they can only offer a prescription if there’s clearly no change in vision.
Otherwise you gotta do it the old fashioned way, with a half day of work and some afternoon ice cream.