AOA calls on FTC to scrutinize Eyebot kiosk
The American Optometric Association (AOA) is urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Eyebot and its partner, 1-800 Contacts, over concerns related to the marketing of automated vision-testing kiosks. The AOA cited a Utah mall kiosk advertising “free glasses prescriptions,” raising questions about compliance with the FTC’s Eyeglass Rule and whether consumers are receiving appropriate disclosures regarding prescription validity, physician involvement, and the limitations of automated testing.
The AOA emphasized the importance of comprehensive, doctor-led eye care and expressed concerns about patient safety and transparency when vision care is presented as a retail convenience. This action follows several recent advocacy efforts by the AOA and state affiliates, including FDA complaints, patient safety alerts, and advocacy from optometry students nationwide regarding the use of automated eye testing kiosks.
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