Seeing The Potential: The Vision Industry Moves Into Digital Healthcare

While about 8 in 10 people have accessed some form of telehealth at least once, only 1 in 10 adults have used digital healthcare for their vision needs. Given the hands-on nature of a typical eye exam, it’s understandable that fewer people have made the switch to teleoptical appointments.

Teleoptical services can make eyecare more accessible to patients, especially those with mobility issues, those who lack transportation, and those who live in underserved rural areas. Services that can be delivered virtually include:

• Testing of visual acuity, visual fields, color vision, and refractive errors
• Diagnosing issues like conjunctivitis, corneal scarring, or keratitis
• Determining corrective prescriptions
• Corneal topography

In addition, virtual follow-up appointments to monitor those with chronic eye conditions are far more convenient than in-person care for the patient. Yet despite the ease of access and other advantages like evening and weekend appointments, only 29% of adults say they are interested in digital healthcare for their vision needs in the future. 

To help eyecare professionals and patients feel comfortable with virtual healthcare, the American Optometric Association (AOA) has outlined 12 teleoptical guidelines for professionals to follow, which include:

• The standard of care must remain the same regardless of whether it’s provided in-person or remotely via telehealth.
• Fundamental elements of the doctor-patient relationship must be established and maintained.
• All protected health and other personal information must be held in confidence and protected from misuse.
• Patients must consent to receive telehealth in optometry and understand their right to choose in-person services.
• In-person care provided by an optometrist is the standard delivery of a comprehensive eye exam. 

The AOA highlights greater patient access to care, improved care coordination, and enhanced communication among all healthcare professionals involved in a patient’s care as some of the unique benefits of virtual eyecare.

While digital healthcare will never fully replace in-person visits for certain treatments, it provides an efficient and cost-effective way for more people to access eyecare. Many facets of daily life, including other forms of healthcare, have embraced technological alternatives, and there is no indication vision plans would be different.

Anthem and other healthcare partners support employers' efforts to make vision services more accessible for all employees by providing expansive provider networks and group vision insurance that is tailored to control costs and increase value for members.