The way we think about healthcare is evolving rapidly. From AI-assisted diagnostics to telehealth expansion, technology is breaking down barriers and reshaping how people access essential medical services. In eyecare, artificial intelligence is increasingly redefining accessibility, affordability, and accuracy in vision care.
At Eyebot, we’ve built our company around the belief that clear vision should be within reach for everyone, equally. As we step into 2025, AI will be a fundamental force changing how people experience healthcare. It’s the reason our 90-second vision test kiosks can provide doctor-verified prescriptions and screen for over 30 different eye disorders with speed and convenience, and it’s why the future of eyecare is becoming more accessible than ever before.
AI is no longer a futuristic concept in healthcare—it’s an everyday tool that improves efficiency, enhances accuracy, and expands access to care. And nowhere is this shift more critical than in eyecare.
The Growing Crisis in Vision Health
Nearly 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from vision impairment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 1 billion of these cases could have been prevented or corrected with proper care (WHO). Yet millions of people go years without an updated prescription simply because vision testing is inconvenient, expensive, or inaccessible.
In the U.S., the American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends annual vision tests for most adults, but many people don’t follow through. Why? Because traditional eye exams often mean scheduling an appointment, waiting weeks for availability, taking time off work, and paying high costs—all for a simple prescription update.
At the same time, a massive shortage of eye doctors is growing nationwide. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates that by 2034, there will be a shortage of nearly 124,000 physicians, including specialists in vision care (AAMC). The number of optometrists and ophthalmologists entering the field isn’t keeping up with demand, meaning wait times will only increase.
The demand for eyecare is also rising due to the global myopia epidemic. By 2050, over 50% of the world’s population is projected to be nearsighted, with higher rates of severe myopia leading to greater risks of blindness (AAO Journal).
This gap in vision care has consequences. People with outdated prescriptions experience eye strain, headaches, difficulty focusing, and even higher accident risks while driving or working. More critically, undiagnosed vision problems in children can impact their learning, and vision loss in older adults increases the risk of falls, depression, and cognitive decline.
At Eyebot, we asked a simple question: Why should getting a prescription be so complicated? And the answer led us down the path we’re on.
How AI is Revolutionizing Vision Testing
In the past, eyecare relied heavily on in-person exams with specialized equipment. But AI is removing those barriers, making vision testing faster, more accessible, and more affordable.
Here’s how I see AI reshaping vision health in 2025:
- Instant, AI-Powered Vision Testing
AI can now analyze vision in real time using advanced algorithms that assess refractive errors with high accuracy. Eyebot’s 90-second vision test kiosk, powered by machine learning and optical recognition technology, provides users with a doctor-verified prescription—all without an appointment.
How does it work? Our AI-driven system guides users through a quick series of vision assessments, measuring clarity, focus, and refractive needs. The results are then reviewed by licensed eye doctors, ensuring both speed and accuracy.
The result? A more convenient, affordable alternative to traditional prescription renewals.
- AI-Powered Telehealth and Remote Eye Screenings
For those needing a deeper evaluation, AI is enhancing remote diagnostics and tele-optometry. With AI-assisted screenings, eye doctors can detect early signs of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and many more disease states from retinal images.
This technology is particularly game-changing in rural and underserved areas, where access to eye doctors is limited. AI-powered vision testing, paired with telehealth consultations, ensures that more people can receive the care they need before their condition worsens.
- AI and Personalized Eyewear Recommendations
AI doesn’t just stop at diagnosing vision problems—it’s also changing how people buy glasses. AI-powered tools can now recommend personalized eyewear based on facial structure, lifestyle, and prescription needs.
Instead of trying on dozens of frames, customers can use AI-driven virtual try-ons that scan their face, analyze fit, and suggest the perfect frames. This makes eyewear shopping more efficient and ensures better comfort and style for every individual.
- AI in Preventative Vision Care
Preventative healthcare is the future, and AI is helping lead the charge. In eyecare, predictive AI models can now analyze patient history and lifestyle factors to identify risks before symptoms appear.
For example, AI can detect subtle retinal changes that signal early signs of diabetes, hypertension, or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. With this information, patients can take proactive steps to protect their vision and overall health.
How Physical AI is Expanding Access
Vision testing is the first step in maintaining eye health, yet millions of people lack convenient access to it. Physical AI is changing that by bringing vision testing to places where people already are. Eyebot’s kiosks make it possible for those who have never had easy access to vision care to take that crucial first step. By placing AI-powered kiosks in high-traffic areas such as malls, retail stores, and pharmacies, more people can check their vision in minutes, creating new opportunities for doctors to reach patients who might not otherwise seek care. These innovative form factors don’t replace doctors—they help them serve more people by making vision testing more accessible than ever.
The Ethical Responsibility of AI in Eyecare
With all this progress, one key question remains: Can we trust AI in healthcare?
At Eyebot, we believe AI should enhance human expertise, not replace it. That’s why every AI-generated prescription from our kiosks is reviewed and verified by a licensed eye doctor. AI makes the process faster and more accessible, but human oversight ensures accuracy, quality, and trust.
Additionally, data privacy is paramount. As AI-driven healthcare expands, companies must prioritize patient security and transparency. Eyebot follows strict privacy protocols to protect user information and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
What’s Next for AI in Eyecare?
As we move through 2025, AI-driven eyecare is only going to accelerate. We predict three major shifts in the industry:
- Wider Adoption of AI Vision Testing – More companies and healthcare providers will embrace AI-powered vision tests as the new standard, making prescriptions more accessible than ever.
- AI-Assisted Disease Detection Becomes the Norm – AI will play an even bigger role in detecting eye diseases early, helping to reduce undiagnosed complications and other disease states.
- Seamless Integration of AI with Smart Devices – AI-driven vision care will integrate with wearable tech, AR glasses, and digital health platforms, providing real-time vision tracking and personalized eye health recommendations.
At Eyebot, we’re excited to be at the forefront of this next generation of vision care. By making vision care accessible at the touch of a button, we’re not just changing how people get prescriptions—we’re redefining what’s possible.
A Clearer Future for All
The future of eyecare is faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever before. Thanks to AI, vision testing is no longer a barrier—it can be a seamless, affordable experience that anyone can access.
As we step into 2025, AI’s role in healthcare isn’t just about innovation—it’s about equity, convenience, and improving lives. At Eyebot, we believe everyone deserves clear vision, and we’re using AI to make that a reality.
The question isn’t whether AI will change eyecare. It already has. And this is just the beginning.
Editor’s Note: Matthias Hofmann is Co-founder and CEO at Eyebot, which is making eye exams more accessible to people. The company develops kiosks, that perform automated, self-serve vision tests in as quickly as 90 seconds and can immediately provide prescriptions for corrective eyewear. Totally transforming retail and how consumers get glasses.