Optometry Goes Vertical: How Stand-Up Eye Exams Are Improving Workflow and Patient Safety

In 2025, optometry clinics are reimagining the exam room—literally. An innovative trend emerging from recent practice upgrades is the adoption of stand-up pretesting systems, transforming how refractions and preliminary measurements are performed.

Why the Shift?

Inspired by telehealth needs and ergonomic concerns, these upright setups allow patients to stand for procedures like auto-refraction, visual field testing, and retinal imaging—streamlining clinic flow and enhancing efficiency.

Benefits for Practices & Patients

• Faster Patient Turnover: Eliminating time spent adjusting chairs simplifies the process and maintains consistent positioning.
   

• Reduced Contact Points: Patients interact less with equipment surfaces, supporting better hygiene and reducing infection risk.
   

• Enhanced Workspace Flow: Staff can use unlockable modular stations to serve patients in succession without reconfiguring each time.
   

• Better for Growing Telehealth: Portable, upright stations are ideal for remote setups, pop-up screenings, or mobile clinics.
   

What This Means for Optometry Futures

With the rise of multichannel care and hybrid delivery models, clinics adapting vertical pretest systems are positioning themselves as lean, forward-thinking, and ready for the future of patient care