Visibly, formerly known as Opternative, is a telehealth Chicago-based company which provides on-line vision tests and generates eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telemedicine |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Steven Lee (optometrist) Aaron Dallek |
| Headquarters | Chicago, IL |
Area served | North America |
Key people | Brent Rasmussen (CEO) |
| Services | Online Refraction |
| Website | govisibly |
Description
editVisibly provides on-line vision tests and generates eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions for site visitors, delivering these results via email within one day of the completion of the exam. The results of the exam are reviewed by an optometrist, are considered valid prescriptions, and may be used for ordering glasses or contacts over the Internet or in person at an eyeglass retailer. The company itself does not sell any visual aids, and derives its income from the fees it charges for the exams.[1]
History
editThe company as founded as Opternative in 2012 and its online vision test was launched in 2015.[2] In November 2018, the company raised $9 million[3] and changed its name from Opternative to Visibly the following month.[4]
As of 2019[update], 39 US states allow optometrists to issue prescriptions over the Internet.[5] Some states, however, have attempted to ban the company from doing business. In 2016, for example, the state of Indiana passed a law prohibiting the use of on-line eye exams for the issuance of eyeglasses prescriptions for the production of any "ophthalmic device".[5] Visibly filed suit against the state in April 2019, claiming that the incorporation of ophthalmic devices in the telehealth ban— which also included abortion drugs and opioids — was the result of pressure from optometrists and the eyeglasses' industry rather than concern for public health, and was being used unfairly, listing the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and the state Director of the Consumer Protection Division, Betsy Dinardi, as defendants.[5]
In May 2019, after heavy pressure from the American Optometric Association (AOA), the on-line vision test had been recalled by the company, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Association (FDA).[6]
In April 2020, in response to the Coronavirus outbreak, the FDA issued guidance[7] to expand the capability of remote ophthalmic assessment, and to facilitate patient care during the pandemic. Visibly announced it will globally provide optometrists, ophthalmologists, and optical service providers free access to its virtual vision test technology, to help patients meet their eye health needs during the pandemic.[8]
In August 2022, Visibly received the FDA 510(k) clearance for its mobile-based vision test[9] preferably to provide prescription renewals to people between 22 and 40.[2] Visibly became the first FDA-cleared online vision test in the United States.[10] In January 2024, Visibly merged with EyecareLive and launched real-time video consultations.[11]
References
edit- ^ Amy Hellem (September 2016). "Why an online eye test can't replace your eye doctor". AllAboutVision.com. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ a b Park, Andrea (17 August 2022). "Visibly, now seeing eye-to-eye with the FDA, brings online vision test back to market". Fierce Biotech. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
- ^ Pletz, John (2018-11-07). "Vision-tech startup gets $9 million from Koch, Pritzker". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ^ Davis, Katherine (11 December 2018). "Chicago Eye Care Startup Opternative Changes Name to Visibly". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ^ a b c "Telehealth company sues Indiana for ban on online eye exams". TimesUnion.com. 21 April 2019.
- ^ "Class 2 Device Recall refractive vision test". Accessdata.fda.gov. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Enforcement Policy for Remote Ophthalmic Assessment and Monitoring Devices During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) : Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff". Fda.gov. April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Can You Get a Vision Test Online?". Ezcontacts.com. 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- ^ "Visibly receives FDA clearance for online visual acuity test". MobiHealthNews. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ^ Staff. "Visibly Becomes First FDA-Cleared Online Vision Test in the U.S." www.visionmonday.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
- ^ Staff. "Visibly Launches Real-Time Video Consultations Through Merger With EyecareLive". www.visionmonday.com. Retrieved 2024-07-10.