Prescription Expiry?

[Keebler Elf]

Do prescriptions for contact lenses/glasses expire? The place I buy my lenses is telling me the prescription is over 2 years old (by 2 months) so they won't sell me additional lenses unless I get a new prescription.

Is this legit or are they just trying to get me to spend money on an eye exam with them?

 

[Gentle Ben]

Do prescriptions for contact lenses/glasses expire? The place I buy my lenses is telling me the prescription is over 2 years old (by 2 months) so they won't sell me additional lenses unless I get a new prescription.

Is this legit or are they just trying to get me to spend money on an eye exam with them?

I don't think theres any legality with respect to prescription lenses , I had my eyes checked this last spring, the previous prescription (from 2 1/2yrs prior) hadn't changed so he didn't give me a new prescription., does that mean I can't buy glasses ? I don't think so. now Meds, thats a different story, they expire after 1 year I was told by my pharmacist

 

[TRX]

eye glasses prescription expires every two years. that's why our employee insurance coverage also partly covered eye glasses every 2 years. but I think you can still order same grade of your last prescription if you insist and told them that your vision did not changed

 

[brocko]

They are doing you a favor and saving themselves possible grief. A vision care prescription is an order for new lenses based on an examination of your eyesight at a particular time and that time was 2 years ago. Is it not possible that in this interval things have again changed for you? If you insist on filling it then you run the risk that your new lenses will not be of sufficient strength or too strong for your current situation, They run the risk you will raise holy hell with them so no wonder they won't comply. Go to a place that will do the exam for free and then dispense you the order. Eye exams are only $75 to $100 which is how much of your weekly bar bill?

 

[Keebler Elf]

My vision is exactly the same. It hasn't changed at all. I can understand the need for an exam if my vision had changed, but going every 2 years just for the "privilege" of being able to buy contact lenses from them seems fucked up.

 

[Aardvark154]

My vision is exactly the same. It hasn't changed at all. I can understand the need for an exam if my vision had changed, but going every 2 years just for the "privilege" of being able to buy contact lenses from them seems fucked up.

That however is the reason, and it is valid.

I'm probably older than you but indeed I've had my middle age far-sightedness changeover two years and my Opthamologist had to change my prescription.

 

[ig-88]

Your prescription needs to be updated. There may also be medical reasons; sometimes, vision problems are indicative of something else. Early detection will certainly help.

In fact, it is recommended that you get an eye exam annually.

And ... you're free to shop around, if you prefer another place. I don't understand the implication that they are making you feel like it's some kind of honour to shop there.

Sounds like they're simply following standard guidelines for the industry.

You're certainly free to shop at another eye place, if you like. Though, I expect you'll hear the same story at any reputable place.

Wanna try this guy? (LOL)

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7675.aspx

 

[Mencken]

The only way you know your prescription has not changed is to have an eye examination. It is very possible that your prescription has changed, and providing glasses that don't meet your vision needs can cause all kinds of problems...for them, for you, and for the general public. And...if you are around 40 I almost guarantee your prescription will change and the 2 year rule is absolutely needed.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

My prescription hasn't changed in over 20 years and they still make me have an exam every 2 years. Now that the "free" health care doesn't cover eye exams anymore it would be nice to get some kinda break ..........

 

[Jade4u]

Yup my eyes never changed in 5 years either, but I still changed my glasses. Innocent babies break anything. Straight to the face and rip em off constantly. Snatch, grab, bend, twist and throw em all in a split second.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

Now that the "free" health care doesn't cover eye exams anymore it would be nice to get some kinda break ..........

If you are diabetic, eye exams are still covered. Be sure to make your opthamologist aware, as your family doctor will not have communicated this to him/her.

 

[RTRD]

Yes...

...and there are concerns regarding your eyes beyond just the prescription and any changes.

Just order the contacts online if you care that little about your vision that you think the $100 eye exam is not worth making sure you are not on path to losing your sight...

 

[tboy]

As stated, if you don't have your eyes checked at least every two years, you're asking for trouble.

I bet you also don't get a physical every couple of years either?

 

[squash500]

IMHO, it's money well spent to get an eye exam . Your spherical part of the prescription (ie -2.50) might be similar but your cylindrical part of the prescription (measures level of astigmatism) could have changed.

I found out that the cylindrical part of the prescription is more important than the spherical part. I'm sure that the same rules apply for contact lens prescriptions.

Sometimes your family doc might refer you to an opthamologist. If he/she does that than your eye exams are covered by OHIP.