1-800 Contacts has entered into a contract to purchase Tel Aviv-based 6over6 vision. While the exact price was not disclosed, the speculated sum of the purchase is over $100 million. 6over6 has created software that allows a complete eye exam to administered at home, using a smartphone. 1-800 Contacts is the largest mail-order contact lens provider in the United States. One of the challenges faced by 1-800 Contacts is the need to get its customers to send in their lens prescription from an Optometrist, many of whom compete directly with the company. If 1-800 Contacts is able to employ the technology developed by 6over6 to offer remote eye exams and then use its own staff doctors to issue prescriptions, this could provide the company with a significant competitive advantage, and greatly streamline the purchase of contact lens over the internet. Â
