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Optometrists (I have a few in my family) generally are more concerned with eye health. This device isn't any more of a threat than the eye care chain stores (Va

by naner 15y ago

Optometrists (I have a few in my family) generally are more concerned with eye health. This device isn't any more of a threat than the eye care chain stores (ValueVision, LensCrafters, etc) and the cheap-glasses websites are. Many people still prefer to get a full exam at a private practice and many businesses still provide the insurance benefits to make it worthwhile. Also there is a lot more that goes into getting proper glasses than going through a refraction (which I'm guessing is what this does) and measuring pupillary distance (which I don't think this device can do). And contacts are a medical device which always require seeing a professional to get a prescription. I don't think this would be much of a threat, and is probably too basic to be useful in a developed country. EDIT: This link shoes what the NETRA can do: http://web.media.mit.edu/~pamplona/NETRA/research.html http://web.media.mit.edu/~pamplona/NETRA/research.html

Zak 15y ago
contacts are a medical device which always require seeing a professional to get a prescription That's part of what I'm arguing against. If you can get the information required to select the right contacts without seeing a professional, I think that's your right. If you get it wrong because, well you really should have seen a professional, that's your problem. A lot of the regulations concerning doctor supervision for drugs and medical devices are intended to prevent companies from marketing devices that are ineffective or dangerous to consumers who don't have enough information to make a good decision. I can sympathize with that goal, but it's heavy-handed enough to keep some reasonable options for medical care out of the reach of low-income people who might otherwise be able to access them.
- naner 15y ago
  Contacts are convenient and easy once we get used to them but they still are medical devices sitting directly on your eyeball and there are plenty of situations where things can go very wrong. Also, you really are supposed to own a pair of glasses for the situations in which you cannot safely wear contacts which effectively makes contacts a luxury item, not really suitable for people who cannot afford the fitting and health check nor the follow up visits in a situation where something goes wrong (e.g. an eye infection). Recently my sister saw a patient who lost partial vision because she had an infection and just put some Visine drops in (it constricts the blood vessels reducing their appearance, which exacerbated her health issue) and wore her contacts anyway for several days, ignoring the pain. That is an extreme example but contacts are a whole 'nother can of worms compared to glasses. It isn't really as simple as having your prescription and your fit and sending you on your way. And it is really best to follow the doctor's suggestions, don't overwear, use the solution as directed, keep them out when you eye is irritated, etc.

by naner 15y ago

Zak 15y ago

contacts are a medical device which always require seeing a professional to get a prescription That's part of what I'm arguing against. If you can get the information required to select the right contacts without seeing a professional, I think that's your right. If you get it wrong because, well you really should have seen a professional, that's your problem. A lot of the regulations concerning doctor supervision for drugs and medical devices are intended to prevent companies from marketing devices that are ineffective or dangerous to consumers who don't have enough information to make a good decision. I can sympathize with that goal, but it's heavy-handed enough to keep some reasonable options for medical care out of the reach of low-income people who might otherwise be able to access them.

naner 15y ago
Contacts are convenient and easy once we get used to them but they still are medical devices sitting directly on your eyeball and there are plenty of situations where things can go very wrong. Also, you really are supposed to own a pair of glasses for the situations in which you cannot safely wear contacts which effectively makes contacts a luxury item, not really suitable for people who cannot afford the fitting and health check nor the follow up visits in a situation where something goes wrong (e.g. an eye infection). Recently my sister saw a patient who lost partial vision because she had an infection and just put some Visine drops in (it constricts the blood vessels reducing their appearance, which exacerbated her health issue) and wore her contacts anyway for several days, ignoring the pain. That is an extreme example but contacts are a whole 'nother can of worms compared to glasses. It isn't really as simple as having your prescription and your fit and sending you on your way. And it is really best to follow the doctor's suggestions, don't overwear, use the solution as directed, keep them out when you eye is irritated, etc.