New technology could replace the optician for eye tests. A device used with a smartphone can test our eyes and tell us how bad our eyesight is. We can then order a pair of glasses online. The device is from a company called EyeQue. It has already tested 50,000 people. It says the eye test is as good as the test from an optician. The device costs just $30. A newer version will come out later this year. It will cost around $60.
EyeQue said the device was better than an optician. It said: "When you go to the eye doctor, it's one moment in time....The doctor may be in a hurry. [We take] different measures over time. We...average it out, and we get a better result." The device will not replace the optician. An optician checks for problems the device cannot check for. One optician said the EyeQue could find problems more quickly, which an optician could then help with.