TAMPA BAY, Fla. - Need to check your vision but don??t want to schedule an appointment with an optometrist? At Tampa Bay area grocery stores, shoppers can use one of the free, self-service vision kiosk instead, the St. Petersburg Times reports.

"I figured this vision machine would just gather dust," said Erica Wilson, a pharmacy tech at a Sweetbay Supermarket. "But 10 to 15 people are using it every day."

Solo Health has been testing its EyeSite kiosk in Tampa Bay area grocery stores. The company also has begun roll out of its Solo Health Stations, which check blood pressure, perform visual acuity exams, measure body mass index and provide prevention medical tips to users.

"Self-service has become ubiquitous partly because people think it puts them in control," said Lee Holman, an analyst with IHL Consulting Group. "The only population segment that objects to it is working mothers with young kids. They regard cashier checkout as one of their few down times."

Solo Health is banking on the favor with which most Americans view self-service. "There is a supermarket within 5 miles of 92 percent of the U.S. population, so kiosks are a great entry point for health care," said Bart Foster, Solo Health chief executive.