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Our eyes age with us—which is why it’s no surprise that more than one in four American adults aged 71 and older have a vision impairment. Among the most common geriatric eye diseases include cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and presbyopia, all of which can significantly affect one’s independence and quality of life by causing blurred eyesight or vision loss.
Early detection and consistent management, especially through the use of prescription glasses, are crucial for preventing these conditions from progressing further. However, many older adults often don’t get the medical attention and vision aids they need. One of the main reasons this happens may be because a third of seniors also experience mobility limitations that prevent them from accessing the necessary care.
Fortunately, today’s digital age means older adults can more easily procure corrective eyewear—even with mobility issues. Now, they can access a number of features that can help them get glasses with just an internet connection:
Remote exams
Eye care experts often recommend that those aged 40 and older get eye exams annually to aid in the early detection of age-related ocular diseases, especially since many of them don’t exhibit symptoms before they worsen. Eye exams are also crucial for optometrists and ophthalmologists to dispense the prescriptions required to procure the necessary eyewear. However, mobility issues may affect a senior’s ability to travel to the nearest clinic, something that can be exacerbated if they live in more rural areas. Today, the remote eye exam aims to help older adults overcome those accessibility hurdles. The likes of DigitalOptometrics now use high-definition video technology to connect patients and licensed optometrists online for quality comprehensive exams—as well as additional accessibility features like a translation tool. That offers seniors a convenient way to get prescriptions for corrective glasses, which they can then procure online.
Prescription renewal
Similarly, older adults who already have a prescription but find it needs to be updated don’t need to leave their homes to get a renewal. That’s due to tools like the prescription check app offered by the retailer Warby Parker. Unlike the remote eye exam, this doesn’t require the direct supervision of an eye care professional. A senior only needs to use a smartphone and a little bit of room to test their visual acuity with a digital Snellen chart. The app will then compare the results of the test with their previous prescription, and an optometrist will remotely confirm that the prescription requires renewal and provide the necessary changes. That way, older adults can ensure they always have the prescription they need to buy updated eyewear without having to leave their couch.
Glasses measurement
Remote glasses purchases don’t require physical fitting, and that’s something that can potentially impact their effectiveness if they’re procured online. Pupillary distance (PD), which measures the length between the centers of both pupils in millimeters, is a particularly important factor that determines which part of the lens a user looks through for the best vision correction and comfort. Without it, older adults may still experience blurred vision or eye strain despite getting glasses with the right prescription. PD is also something that’s usually taken by an optometrist—which is why LensCrafters helps make measuring it more accessible with the help of the Opthy app. Seniors can use this on their own or with the help of a family member or caregiver to measure their PD at home. LensCrafters pairs this tool with a comprehensive guide on understanding PD and how to use it to find the most suitable corrective eyewear, making it even easier for older adults to get the best glasses available without aggravating their mobility issues.
Home try-ons
Of course, PD isn’t the only glasses component that’s traditionally determined through physical fittings. Frame style, material, and fit are all things that often can’t be assessed remotely, and they can affect the overall comfort a pair of glasses gives an older adult who needs it. An initial answer to this can be the virtual try-on, with retailers like Walmart Vision using 3D technology to create an accurate digital twin of every frame that allows for realistic remote try-on experiences. Seniors who prefer a more tactile experience also have another option: the free home trial. Notably, Liingo Eyewear allows buyers to pick out four frames for shipping straight to their doorstep, which they can then try out for five days before finalizing their purchase. Such programs can be especially beneficial for seniors prescribed bed rest or who cannot physically shop for glasses at the closest optical store, as it allows them to take advantage of the traditional brick-and-mortar buying experience without having to leave home.
