[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":4773,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, a software vendor has agreed to pay $150,000 to the FTC and to stop making deceptive health claims that its app can improve users\u2019 vision.

Calabasas, Calif.-based Carrot Neurotechnology Inc. and its co-owners are required to have \u201ccompetent and reliable scientific evidence\u201d before making vision claims for its Ultimeyes app and similar products, or claims regarding the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects of any product or service.

In the FTC\u2019s February 22 final order, the company is also prohibited from misrepresenting any scientific research, and it is required to clearly disclose its connections with anyone conducting or participating in scientific research they cite as substantiation for their claims, and with anyone endorsing their products.

According to the FTC, Carrot Neurotechnology has advertised and sold Ultimeyes on the company\u2019s website and through third-party app stores, including the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, claiming it is \u201cscientifically shown to improve vision\u201d and to \u201cTurn Back The Clock On Your Vision.\u201d

Further, the vendor\u2019s ads claimed that users would benefit from \u201ccomprehensive vision improvement\u201d for activities such as sports, reading and driving, and that using the app would reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses. The app, which sells for a one-time fee of $9.99 that includes unlimited use, is based on a series of visual exercises on either mobile devices or desktop computers.

Studies, including those conducted by Carrot Neurotechnology co-owner Aaron Seitz, were cited in company marketing materials as proof that Ultimeyes works. However, the FTC argues that Seitz\u2019s studies and other \u201cscientific research\u201d do not prove that the app improves vision. The FTC also charges that the vendor failed to disclose Seitz\u2019s affiliation with the company when touting his studies in ads.

\u201cThis case came down to the simple fact that Ultimeyes\u2019 promoters did not have the scientific evidence to support their claims that the app could improve users' vision,\u201d said Jessica Rich, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. \u201cHealth-related apps can offer benefits to consumers, but the FTC will not hesitate to act when health-related claims are not based on sound science.\u201d

\u201cThis is actually a complicated situation that has important policy implications and for which I believe the FTC made a terrible mistake that goes well beyond myself and my company and that sets a precedent that is harmful to the American people,\u201d said Carrot Neurotechnology's Seitz, professor of psychology at the University of California-Riverside and director of the UCR Brain Game Center. \u201cIt is a horrible precedent that will prevent other scientists from trying to move their research into the market.\u201d

Ultimeyes is not the only app that claims to improve vision. Eye doctors warn that these vision apps do not improve the function of the physical eye and that mobile apps should not replace the care of a trained eye care professional.

\u201cBy taking action against the Ultimeyes app, the FTC has acted decisively to safeguard public health, an effort the American Optometric Association is proud to support,\u201d said AOA President Steven A. Loomis. \u201cIn fact, wherever we find similar violations of Federal or state law, our AOA and state associations will be pressing for full enforcement. Where laws may need to be updated to better protect the public, we will be an advocacy force.\u201d","saveContent":"Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, a software vendor has agreed to pay $150,000 to the FTC and to stop making deceptive health claims that its app can improve users\u2019 vision.

Calabasas, Calif.-based Carrot Neurotechnology Inc. and its co-owners are required to have \u201ccompetent and reliable scientific evidence\u201d before making vision claims for its Ultimeyes app and similar products, or claims regarding the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects of any product or service.

In the FTC\u2019s February 22 final order, the company is also prohibited from misrepresenting any scientific research, and it is required to clearly disclose its connections with anyone conducting or participating in scientific research they cite as substantiation for their claims, and with anyone endorsing their products.

According to the FTC, Carrot Neurotechnology has advertised and sold Ultimeyes on the company\u2019s website and through third-party app stores, including the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, claiming it is \u201cscientifically shown to improve vision\u201d and to \u201cTurn Back The Clock On Your Vision.\u201d

Further, the vendor\u2019s ads claimed that users would benefit from \u201ccomprehensive vision improvement\u201d for activities such as sports, reading and driving, and that using the app would reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses. The app, which sells for a one-time fee of $9.99 that includes unlimited use, is based on a series of visual exercises on either mobile devices or desktop computers.

Studies, including those conducted by Carrot Neurotechnology co-owner Aaron Seitz, were cited in company marketing materials as proof that Ultimeyes works. However, the FTC argues that Seitz\u2019s studies and other \u201cscientific research\u201d do not prove that the app improves vision. The FTC also charges that the vendor failed to disclose Seitz\u2019s affiliation with the company when touting his studies in ads.

\u201cThis case came down to the simple fact that Ultimeyes\u2019 promoters did not have the scientific evidence to support their claims that the app could improve users' vision,\u201d said Jessica Rich, director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. \u201cHealth-related apps can offer benefits to consumers, but the FTC will not hesitate to act when health-related claims are not based on sound science.\u201d

\u201cThis is actually a complicated situation that has important policy implications and for which I believe the FTC made a terrible mistake that goes well beyond myself and my company and that sets a precedent that is harmful to the American people,\u201d said Carrot Neurotechnology's Seitz, professor of psychology at the University of California-Riverside and director of the UCR Brain Game Center. \u201cIt is a horrible precedent that will prevent other scientists from trying to move their research into the market.\u201d

Ultimeyes is not the only app that claims to improve vision. Eye doctors warn that these vision apps do not improve the function of the physical eye and that mobile apps should not replace the care of a trained eye care professional.

\u201cBy taking action against the Ultimeyes app, the FTC has acted decisively to safeguard public health, an effort the American Optometric Association is proud to support,\u201d said AOA President Steven A. Loomis. \u201cIn fact, wherever we find similar violations of Federal or state law, our AOA and state associations will be pressing for full enforcement. Where laws may need to be updated to better protect the public, we will be an advocacy force.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

FTC bars eye app vendor from making deceptive claims

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