On the heels of CVS Pharmacy’s announcement of QuickRenew, their online contact lens prescription renewal platform (powered by technology from Premium Vision), the American Optometric Association was swift in its response to the platform, citing the 2019 recall of Opternative/Visibly:

“The AOA, affiliates and doctors of optometry call on CVS to acknowledge that this offering will lower the overall level of eye health care received by the public and that this test places them in the ranks of questionable vision test apps that have and should continue to be investigated by the FDA.”

QuickRenew, currently available in 32 states, allows users ages 18 to 55 who have been fit for contact lenses, have had a full eye exam within last four years and have a healthy eye history to purchase/request shipment of contact lenses from CVS Optical online or the contact lens provider of their choice.

So, what action step should optometrists take in light of this platform?

Jeffrey Sonsino, O.D., F.A.A.O., a diplomate in the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry, past-chairman of the American Optometric Association’s Contact Lens and Cornea Section and co-founder and chief medical officer of Eyeris, says the optometric community should work with companies that enhance the doctor-patient relationship.

“Typically, these companies are born from frustrations within the eye care community. I co-founded [Eyeris] after seeing a patient within my own practice who lost his cornea to a pseudomonas ulcer when he was allowed to purchase contact lenses from an online reseller for three years without being asked for a prescription.” OM

 

 

Also in Leading Off

• National Optometric Association co-founder passes
• CEO Challenge
• O.D. acquiring MBA to prepare for future opportunities
• Practice tip: Tax deductions
• Also Notable