CVS recently launched an online prescription renewal tool. It seems that patients who meet certain requirements can have their existing contact lens prescription renewed for up to four years. These extensions are approved by ophthalmologists who sign off after patients report their visual acuity and upload a picture of an eye. The doctor and patient do not communicate.
Optometry has responded by accurately pointing out that this action is reckless, dangerous and greedy. While well-intentioned, all of the published responses are arguably defensive and may miss the most obvious point. CVS is behaving how corporations behave when they are motivated primarily by profitability. They are stretching limits to fill their customers’ unmet needs.
We really should be asking……”How can we better meet the needs of our contact lens patients?” “Can we utilize available technologies to provide teleoptometry services?”
If not, CVS will continue to take our patients.
See how optometry has been reacting to the news from CVS:
American Optometric Association
Editorial from AOA President, William Reynolds