News and Music Discovery
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Bill Would Regulate Online Eye Exams in Kentucky

123RF Stock Photo

A bill moving through the Kentucky legislature seeks to regulate eye exams offered through  smartphone apps.

House Bill 191 would ban companies from issuing prescriptions based on mobile eye exams unless the information is read and interpreted by a Kentucky-licensed optometrist, osteopath or physician. It would also require the doctor to have real-time interaction with the patient during the exam.

In addition, the patient could not receive a mobile eye exam unless they have had an in-person exam within the past two years. Representatives from companies including Simple Contacts, Opternative and Warby Parker say the bill would effectively ban them from doing business in Kentucky.

The bill cleared a legislative committee Thursday and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.