Free self-service kiosk provides eye exams

EyeSite, a free, interactive, self-service vision screening booth developed by Bart Foster of SoloHealth, has been launched, with the first kiosk taking residence in a Wal-Mart store in Georgia, US.

More than 6000 Wal-Mart customers have used the booth since its installation this spring, more than 30% of whom had never previously been examined by an eyecare professional. Of the customers undergoing the simple eye test, 80% were recommended to follow up with a visit to an eyecare professional.

As well as providing eye tests, the EyeSite booth can provide information about common but often undiagnosed conditions such as glaucoma. The goal of the kiosk is not to replace a traditional eye examination but to assess distance and near vision and potentially refer the user to a relevant healthcare professional in the vicinity. SoloHealth plans to launch the booth in more communities in the near future.