SimpleContacts have developed an app that allows contact wearers to test Their Eyes on their phone. The results are then interpreted by a team of ophthalmologists and the contacts are shipped immediately after.
The service is only available to people who are otherwise healthy, and just need to renew the contact lens prescription they currently have. If they need a stronger prescription, they are not eligible to use SimpleContacts’ services.
Dr. Nagori estimates that 80% of prescription renewals fall into this category.
Some 500,000 contact lens wearers have been served in the comfort of their homes by SimpleContacts to date, and at a cost lower than a conventional visit to an optometrist. This includes people who live in outlying areas for whom a trip to the optometrist may be an all-day affair.
Congress has been fairly supportive of telemedicine so far, although it is largely undiscussed. The biggest hurdle for Dr. Nagori has been at the state level. Medicine is largely regulated by states. She is subject to 43 separate sets of regulations. Seven states will not allow her to operate.
The Vision Council estimates that 47% of Americans accounted for 113.9 million eye exams in 2015. Nearly a six billion dollar market.
In an effort to provide eye care to a broader population at a more reasonable price, Dr. Nagori has to overcome the optometric industry in 43 states, but Dr. Nagori is Seeing Success
Dr. Nagori is hosting a Physician Entrepreneur Summit in October. Find out more information here.
For more about Dr. Nagori’s effort’s, listen to the Medicated USA podcast.
