Chukwuma Nwaomah has worn glasses and contacts since he was in the third grade. Yearly appointments to the eye doctor started to become tiring. So, he decided to try something new: an online eye exam he can take at home.
"I was a little hesitant at first. But once I got the hang of it - just breezed right through it," he said.
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A day later, he had his new prescription in hand.
"It saved me some time as far as getting to the eye doctor," Nwaomah added.
It's growing in popularity. Aaron Dallek, CEO and co-founder of Opternative - one of several online eye exam companies - says they've had tens of thousands of people to date sign up to take an at-home exam.
"All you need is a computer and a smart phone. It takes 20-25 minutes and you need 10-12 feet of space," Dallek explained.
He says the online eye exam, which is just a vision test using letters and shapes, similar to what you might find in an eye doctor's office.
"So over here the system instructed me to cover up my left eye. I'm taking a look at the screen and I'm choosing which number I see on the screen," added Steven Lee, co-founder of Opternative.
Once you finish the test, your results are sent to an ophthalmologist in your state who evaluates them and writes you a prescription you can use anywhere.
"It's much more convenient and less expensive than going to the eye doctor," said Dallek.
But is it enough? Dr. Stephen Loomis, president of the American Optometric Association doesn't think so.
"I just don't understand how just looking at those numbers that come back from an automated system can really tell the doctor what he or she needs to know regarding what that patient's prescription ought to be. Much less understanding what the patient's general health or eye situation is," he explained.
Loomis worries that patients will be misled into thinking they've had a complete exam, when in reality the vision is only a small part of what eye doctors look for.
"I examine the cornea, the tear film, all the components of the external portion of the eye," he added.
Dallek insists their system was never designed to replace traditional eye exams, only supplement them.
"We care very deeply about patients' eye health. And we make it so patients cannot use the Opternative exam more than four years in a row," said Dallek.
As for Nwaomah, he's enjoying his new prescription now - but plans to head back to the eye doctor next time around.
"I think I'm going to be able to use them both throughout the future."
Right now the Opternative eye exam is only for patients 18 to 40 years old. It costs $40 for either glasses or contacts or $60 for both. They do not accept vision insurance at this time.
Links to other at-home eye exams: