With each passing day, the world seems to be increasingly driven by algorithms. It’s tempting to believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can do it all, including diagnosing the eyes. Patients can now “test” their vision, renew prescriptions, and receive a retinal scan without stepping into a clinic. Dr. Jamie Yee, optometrist and owner of Avant-Garde Optometry in Frisco, Texas, stresses that this illusion of convenience can come with dangerous consequences.
Dr. Yee, believing that solely relying on AI-driven tools and online eye exams can compromise the quality of care, made it her mission to bring attention to the misleading marketing by large corporations and the growing risks to unsuspecting patients. She strongly advocates for personalized, human-led eye care and cautions against the unchecked use of AI tools as a substitute for medical expertise.
Dr. Yee points to the trend of online platforms advertising “instant” eye exams that promise quick results without having to see an optometrist. “Some companies have even gone as far as offering prescription renewals and contact lens fittings through a laptop camera and a multiple-choice quiz,” she says.
The optometrist notes that the technology behind many of these tools includes autorefractor machines (devices that measure the eye’s shape to estimate a prescription). Dr. Yee explains that these machines only provide an objective measurement. They’re frequently inaccurate unless followed by a subjective refraction, a nuanced, manual test guided by a trained optometrist. What does this trend lead to? Many patients walk away with incorrect prescriptions.
“Machines are great at capturing data, but data isn’t a diagnosis,” Dr. Yee stresses. “Real diagnosis requires context, conversation, and clinical experience. AI can replicate none of these.” She’s even more troubled by how AI-driven platforms can embolden patients to self-diagnose. Dr. Yee has seen patients walk in quoting online research or AI-generated advice, such as asking for the “least chemical” contact lenses.
“They’re asking the wrong questions because what they have is incomplete or inaccurate information. The answers AI gives aren’t the only problem. It’s the assumption that the question itself is medically sound,” Dr. Yee notes.
Digital platforms have a pivotal role in this space. Many are reshaping the narrative around contact lens care. They re-prescribe the same lenses year after year based on basic online vision tests without accounting for changes in eye shape, corneal health, or overall ocular conditions. These evaluations miss the finer details that could indicate a serious problem.
Overall, the false sense of security is especially dangerous because many serious eye conditions don’t cause blurry vision in their early stages. A significant percentage of eye diseases develop silently, making regular in-person evaluations critical for early detection. “I know a young woman who died from a choroidal melanoma. It’s a condition that might’ve been caught early with a comprehensive eye exam but was missed entirely because she thought her clear vision meant good health,” Dr. Yee shares.
These experiences shape Dr. Yee’s philosophy on patient care. She founded Avant-Garde Optometry to empower patients through education and tailored medical attention. “Most people build their dream business based on what they like in other practices,” she says. “I built mine based on what I didn’t like. I wanted the opposite of impersonal, rushed, and profit driven.”
Avant-Garde Optometry, therefore, is where cutting-edge medical care meets attentive service and fashion-forward style. Here, Dr. Yee and her team offer comprehensive eye exams, disease management, personalized vision plans, and hand-curated eyewear. The practice also prioritizes equipping people with the knowledge they need to understand their own eye health, ask the right questions, and feel confident in their care decisions.
Avant-Garde Optometry further stands out for its dedication to clinical integrity. Before opening the practice, Dr. Yee personally vetted every lab and product supplier. She interviewed each one to ensure they could explain their offerings on an optics level and not just a marketing one. This meticulous approach led Avant-Garde Optometry to partner with a Japanese-founded lab known for its technological precision and optical expertise.
Dr. Jamie Yee emphasizes that while AI can support parts of the diagnostic process, it should never replace a trained optometrist’s nuanced, human-led care. Based in Frisco, Texas, her practice offers compassionate, comprehensive, and science-based eye care. She states: “At the end of the day, no algorithm can replace a doctor who knows your eyes and cares enough to see what a machine can’t.”
This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.
