Welcome to Skimm Tested, where we put products, services, and experiences to the test, then give 'em a report card. (Check out all of our tried-and-tested faves here.)
The assignment…
Warby Parker is already a fan- and Skimm-fave brand. Now that they offer more contact lens options for kids (including the latest and greatest), one of our testers took her son, Luca, to a pediatric eye exam to learn about his eyesight and overall eye health. We were especially curious about his risk for myopia AKA nearsightedness, which is when distant objects appear blurry, because studies show it impacts over 40% of kids and teens and can worsen quickly as kids get older.
The doctors at Warby Parker can not only evaluate if a patient has myopia, but also whether they’d benefit from MiSight® 1 day, which are the first and only FDA-approved* daily disposable soft contact lenses proven to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8–12 at initiation of treatment.1†‡ They can also check for other eye conditions that may not have obvious signs or symptoms.
Plus, Skimm’rs can get 20% off their first contacts order — and get a $50 credit to use on any glasses or sunglasses when they buy an annual supply.
Straight A’s in…
Ease of making an appointment. Anything that we can book completely online — without long holds or wait times — is a pro in our book. And this couldn’t be easier: Just find the closest Warby Parker store offering eye exams on their website, choose a date and time that works for you, and enter your contact info. That’s it. The best part? They have late afternoon and evening appointments, so there’s no need to take the kids out of school.
Optometrist expertise. MiSight® lenses are cutting edge. Doctors need to be certified to fit them, so you know the ones at Warby are experts. They take pediatric treatment seriously, and educate even their youngest patients about myopia and myopia treatment options — whether it’s already an issue or could be down the line.
Optometrist demeanor. Going into the exam, Luca was a little apprehensive. But from the get-go, the optometrist was friendly and personable, asking him how he was feeling, directing questions to him, checking in to make sure he was okay, and high-fiving him when he did well — all things that put Luca at ease. She was respectful, and never talked down to him either.
Comprehensive and kid-friendly structure. The exam itself was extremely thorough. The optometrist checked everything from visual acuity to depth perception to eye pressure using state-of-the-art equipment. She explained what she was doing throughout, then talked to us about the results. She and Luca even played “Simon says” during one part of the exam (“Simon says look here”, “Simon says look there”). Oh, and did we mention there were lollipops?
Vibes. The space was clean, warm, and welcoming — complete with the fun wallpaper and other well-designed touches you’d expect from Warby Parker. The decor and kind, knowledgeable front staff left our tester and Luca feeling cared for and comfortable throughout the whole experience.
Meant for…
Kids between the ages of 4 and 17, whether or not they have a prescription. Since the exam checks all aspects of eye health, it can be helpful for kids who might be showing signs of vision issues or symptoms of an eye condition.
Gets extra credit for…
Waiting room goodies. Our tester got handed an activity page, colored pencils, and markers when she checked her son in. Luca loved doing the word search, coloring, and learning fun facts about eyeballs. (The giant squid has the biggest eye of any animal, BTW.)
A short wait time. All in all, our tester and her son waited about five minutes for the exam.
The accessible explanations and easy-to-follow recommendations. Luca didn’t have myopia or need a prescription, but the optometrist explained what she learned and potentially concerning changes to look out for.
How we did our homework…
One of our testers scheduled, and then went to an exam at the Warby Parker location closest to her in Westchester, New York to learn more about her 8-year-old son’s eyesight and overall eye health. She especially appreciated how easy it was to find a location, the ample appointment times, and how the optometrist catered the exam to her son’s needs.
Footnotes…
Warby Parker has more than 170 exam locations around the country.
Exam costs start at $85. Bring your insurance and FSA info to determine coverage.
If your kid shows signs of myopia, the optometrist may suggest treatments like specially designed myopia control glasses, eye drops, or soft contact lenses like MiSight® 1 day.
If your kid needs contacts, Warby Parker offers free shipping and 15% off your first order — plus a $50 credit to use on any glasses or sunglasses if you buy an annual supply. You can also get a manufacturer rebate if you buy MiSight® 1 day lenses in-store after an exam: $200 off an annual supply or $75 off a 6-month supply.
*Compared to single vision lens. -0.25D or less of change. Fitted at 8-12 years of age at initiation of treatment.
†Indications for use: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.
‡Only FDA approved soft contact lens designed for myopia control in the U.S.
1Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight® lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019;96(8):556-567.
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.