South Carolina House and Senate Override the Governor's Veto of Legislation Banning Online Eye Exams

The South Carolina House voted to override Gov. Nikki Haley's veto of a bill banning the practice of offering prescriptions for lenses and contact lenses after an online exam. The original legislation banning the practiced was passed 100-1 last month. "Chicago-based Opternative launched its online service in South Carolina and dozens of other states nationwide last summer. CEO and founder Aaron Dallek said the company has hundreds of customers in South Carolina," reports the Kansas City Star. "Opternative offers $40 to $60 prescriptions — depending on whether customers want a single prescription for glasses or contacts, or a prescription for both — within 24 hours for people ages 18 to 45 with a computer and smartphone. Customers taking the test are asked to take a certain number of steps away from their computer screen, depending on their shoe size, and use the computer like a digital eye chart. A text message sent to a customer's smartphone allows it to be used as a remote control. Answers to multiple questions, along with medical records, are sent to a state-licensed ophthalmologist contracted by the company. Inconsistencies mean a prescription won't be written, Dallek said." Read more.