US mobile refraction service Blink called into question

Optometric associations in New York State have rounded on the developers of mobile refraction service Blink, challenging the legality of its services.

Blink, developed by EyeNetra, offers at-home vision tests at the request of the patient. The tests are carried out by what Blink described as ‘visioneers,’ who, according to the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA), are unregistered practitioners who use a series of smartphone-derived refractive tools to acquire patient data under the remote supervision of an optometrist. If the Rx is approved by the optometrist, a digital copy is sent to the patient.

Blink’s developers have said that it makes it clear to patients that the service is not a comprehensive eye exam and that it made referrals to local optometrists.