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Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

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11–20 of 94 posts

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#11
post #2

Just got a postcard from my optometrist the other day saying it’s time for my annual prescription check. My eyes are no different, but my glasses are scratched, so I need to spend an hour or two to get this fixed instead of just reordering glasses online. Can’t wait to use a service like this instead, much faster and easier, good luck!!

In the US at least, you can order glasses online as long as you know the prescription. It's contacts that require a 'valid' prescription which only lasts a year and they will only let you buy a 'years' worth of contacts at a time.

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#12
post #9

The eye exam layout on mobile Firefox is broken, stuff is being pushed off the left side of the screen but you don't allow scrolling to bring it into view. It still doesn't work properly if I switch to desktop mode.

Sorry about this, we're looking into it. It's optimized for desktop/laptop viewing, so it's strange that you're having desktop issues.

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#14
post #8

I haven't had an eye exam on over a decade (since my mid 20s). I use my old prescription and order cheap glasses online. The extreme savings and arguably higher utility of this approach had always given me the strong impression that the eyecare industry is fundementally broken and full of rent seeking.

There really is a lot that we can do to improve how people get eyecare and eyewear. I did want to point out that there's an entire other side of the eyecare industry -- eye health -- that gets overshadowed by the eyewear/optical aspect of eyecare. Obviously all sides of the eyecare industry need fixing, but I do I think part of the puzzle is bringing the eye health portion more front and center. (But ultimately there's no argument that things are broken.)

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#16
I'm a former programmer, now in mid forties, and recently diagnosed with low-tension glaucoma, so I appreciate the value in your service. I have no family history so I wonder if my long years of staring at screens had something to do with it, though I realize the causes are complex and not well understood.

In my case it was caught reasonably early but I feel it could have been caught earlier. Its a bit surprising to me since I did have regular dilated eye exams. If screen time is indeed implicated, I do wonder if there is an epidemic of eye/optic nerve damage brewing, especially since those who don't wear corrective lenses probably aren't getting regular exams and may not realize they have risk factors or even damage.

Perhaps its not the screens themselves, but what's on them. The stress of social media causing everyone's IOP to randomly skyrocket.

I'm still coming to grips with my diagnosis and its repercussions. Not the least of which is the cost of the drops I need to take now for the rest of my life. $110 for a three month supply, and I also have to agree to not make a claim on my insurance to reimburse me, so its all out of pocket. Its pretty shady, but they are what my ophthalmologist wants me to use, and I don't want to mess around with blindness.

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#17
post #2

Just got a postcard from my optometrist the other day saying it’s time for my annual prescription check. My eyes are no different, but my glasses are scratched, so I need to spend an hour or two to get this fixed instead of just reordering glasses online. Can’t wait to use a service like this instead, much faster and easier, good luck!!

In the US at least, you can order glasses online as long as you know the prescription. It's contacts that require a 'valid' prescription which only lasts a year and they will only let you buy a 'years' worth of contacts at a time.

The rules around this vary state by state. In states like CA, it's unfortunately illegal to sell glasses/contacts to someone with an expired prescription.

More info on buying glasses/contacts: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/buying-prescription-gl...

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#18
post #9

The eye exam layout on mobile Firefox is broken, stuff is being pushed off the left side of the screen but you don't allow scrolling to bring it into view. It still doesn't work properly if I switch to desktop mode.

That's our bad! The exam is only built for desktop - we don't allow mobile in the usual flow because the vision charts need to be displayed at a certain height (*will add to our post).

I can't seem to replicate the issues you're having on firefox/desktop, it displays normally for me. If you shoot me a screenshot at kristine@quadranteye.com, happy to take a look.

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#19
post #9

The eye exam layout on mobile Firefox is broken, stuff is being pushed off the left side of the screen but you don't allow scrolling to bring it into view. It still doesn't work properly if I switch to desktop mode.

That's our bad! The exam is only built for desktop - we don't allow mobile in the usual flow because the vision charts need to be displayed at a certain height (*will add to our post). I can't seem to replicate the issues you're having on firefox/desktop, it displays normally for me. If you shoot me a screenshot at kristine@quadranteye.com, happy to take a look.

I sent a screenshot to your support chat widget when it happened.

Re: Launch HN: Quadrant Eye (YC W21) – Tackling online eye exams and at-home eyecare

#20
post #8

I haven't had an eye exam on over a decade (since my mid 20s). I use my old prescription and order cheap glasses online. The extreme savings and arguably higher utility of this approach had always given me the strong impression that the eyecare industry is fundementally broken and full of rent seeking.

There really is a lot that we can do to improve how people get eyecare and eyewear. I did want to point out that there's an entire other side of the eyecare industry -- eye health -- that gets overshadowed by the eyewear/optical aspect of eyecare. Obviously all sides of the eyecare industry need fixing, but I do I think part of the puzzle is bringing the eye health portion more front and center. (But ultimately there…

This is true amd something that I had not strongly considered. While my prescription still seems fine, it us probably worth scheduling an exam to check my eye health now that I am in my 30s.
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