If asked, are opticians required to give you a copy of your prescription?

[ilovefh]

I left my old doctor because of this. For 10 years they told me they could not give me my prescription for my contacts and that I had to order through them. I paid $75 per contact for 10 years because they were year long contacts. When I moved away and used a new doctor who actually gave me my prescription I suddenly realized he was in the wrong.

His secretary tried to tell me it was a law but of course it wasn't. In the end I was mad because I paid double through the doctor's office than what the contacts sold for elsewhere.

 

[bcla]

First thing - an optician doesn't give prescriptions - usually. That would be an optometrist (D.O.) or an opthamologist (M.D.). I heard there are some opticians who are licensed to fit contact lenses, but that's only in a few states.

Eyeglass prescriptions are required to be released (by the prescriber) on request by federal and most state regulations. I think contact lenses have often been in a gray area. I've heard of many optometrists who worked with optical business and wouldn't release them under any circumstances. The rules might have changed, because supposedly that's now required to be released as soon as the fitting is completed.

My optometrist always released the prescriptions immediately, including for CL. I was fairly experienced wearer, and she said that I should be OK and come back if I had an issue. She worked in an office in the back of an optical shop, but legally they were separate businesses - an optical shop and a medical vision practice.

I looked it up, and it has been the case since 2004 that contact lens prescriptions are required to be released once the fitting is complete.

http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/bus62-contact-lens-rule-guide-prescribers-and-sellers

According to the Rule, “prescriber” refers to anyone permitted under state law to issue prescriptions for contact lenses — including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and licensed opticians who also are permitted under state law to fit contact lenses (sometimes called “dispensing opticians”).

Prescribers must:

• give a copy of the contact lens prescription to the patient at the end of the contact lens fitting – even if the patient doesn’t ask for it.
• provide or verify the contact lens prescription to anyone who is designated to act on behalf of the patient, including contact lens sellers.

 

[bcla]

I just switched to a new eye Dr. After 20y due to this issue. I loved my old eye Dr but he passed unexpectedly about 10 yrs ago and someone else bought the business. It was okay for awhile but a few years ago my husband needed to replaces his glasses but did not needed a new exam because 2 years was not up yet. He called and they refused to give it to him. We went to Wal-Mart and were told they could not do that is it was not time for another exam yet. They called for him and got it done. This left a bad taste in my mouth. I kept going to them until they ordered the wrong contacts(multiracial which I do not needed yet) and I wore them and knew something was wrong. Went back by a d had to wait for them to get me some in. I then ordered online through their webpage and it came back not verified. To say the least I was not happy. I switched and am very please with new Dr.

A complaint can be filed with the FTC.

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/GettingStarted?NextQID=275&Url=#&panel1-8#crnt

It doesn't look like it from the first page, but this is for health related claims. Just click other, and the next screen has contact lenses and eyeglasses on the top. Failing to release a CL prescription will eventually show up, and then you'll be able to provide a detailed description of the issue.

 

[bcla]

Is that after the exam? Just for a copy of the presciption, if it is then that is illegal, the law was passed because many people were buying prescription contacts on line who didn't need them because they wanted to change their eye color but the law requires them to give you the prescription. I never ask for the prescription because my contacts have to be custom made and they cost the same regardless if I order them on line or through the DR.

"Plano" (noncorrective) contact lenses still require a prescription from a licensed practitioner. Buying them without an in-person exam is dangerous. I've heard of people who nearly went blind because they bought such lenses at a convenience store or online without a physical fitting. Some online retailers are selling legitimate prescription-only lenses without checking for a prescription. Others are cheap imports that may not be safe at all because they're not made with quality materials and in some instances toxic dyes.

Color contact lenses for Halloween may carry blindness risk
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/color-contact-lenses-for-halloween-may-carry-blindness-risk/

14-Year-Old Girl May Need Cornea Transplant After Wearing $20 Colored Contact Lenses
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/EyeHea...ant-wearing-colored-contact/story?id=13969384

It's certainly important to have proper training in handling and usage, but most important is the fit. I've had contact that don't fit well, and they just start floating around and can cause bruising and/or infections. If it was seriously ill fitting, it could cause permanent damage quickly. Someone who has never been at a fitting might not know what to do.

These types of lenses are no better or worse than any other contact lens, but they have to be properly fitted and properly cleaned/stored.

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm275069.htm

 

[Jaime4004]

My kids and I see different optometrists, both also sell glasses and contacts. They have both always handed me the written prescriptions, never had to ask. I'd be annoyed if I did..

 

[bcla]

My kids and I see different optometrists, both also sell glasses and contacts. They have both always handed me the written prescriptions, never had to ask. I'd be annoyed if I did..

Since (at the latest) 2004, FTC regulations require the prescriber to hand over a copy of an eyeglass prescription at the end of the exam and a contact lens prescription once the fitting is complete (follow up exam). The patient doesn't need to ask for it; this is required to be automatic.

One of the odd things is that (depending on the state, the prescriber isn't required to give out a duplicate prescription if the original one is lost. So be aware of that when making a complaint.

 

[aprilgail2]

Since (at the latest) 2004, FTC regulations require the prescriber to hand over a copy of an eyeglass prescription at the end of the exam and a contact lens prescription once the fitting is complete (follow up exam). The patient doesn't need to ask for it; this is required to be automatic.

One of the odd things is that (depending on the state, the prescriber isn't required to give out a duplicate prescription if the original one is lost. So be aware of that when making a complaint.

I will have to look into that because it would be much easier to get the prescription and buy cheaper glasses for my mom.

 

[Imzadi]

My eye Dr has always charged a "fitting" fee for contacts and unless I paid that fee, they would not give me my contact RX, the fee was $60 - it always annoyed me and therefore I never ordered any of my optical supplies ie glasses, contacts etc from them, off to Costco and Sam's Club I went.

I was charged a fitting fee, too, it was $65. For those who have never had fit problems with contacts, it may seem like an unnecessary charge. But, I had a really strong astigmatism and tight lids and dry eyes, so fitting contact lenses were always a problem. (I finally got LASIK eye surgery.) years ago, it was originally recommended that I get the hard gas-permeable lenses. But they hurt my eyes so much because my lids were too tight. I switched on my own, even though it wasn't advised, to soft lenses. But years ago, they never made them up to my prescription strength needed. And due to the dry eyes, they stuck to my eyeballs after only a few hours. FINALLY, the toric, weighted on one side lenses were made. And yes, during the fitting, the Dr. had to make sure the weight would properly stay on the bottom, like they were supposed to, and that my eye curvature (the astigmatism) wasn't interfering with the lens. So, YES, there is some skill on being fitted properly, and with the right size and type of lens.

But, after that, if they aren't re-fitting you each time with new lenses, but only checking your prescription, then you should only be charged for the glasses exam. I complained about the "fitting charge" once when they hadn't fitted me for lenses, just the exam and gave me the prescription. They took off the "fitting fee."

Thanks for the input everyone!

I searched around some , I know, I probably could have done that before posting but then what else would we have to talk about on a Friday night?

I found this on 1-800-Contacts (I snipped just a small part of the article):
http://www.1800contacts.com/connect/featured-articles/doctor/when-doc-says-no

2. Know The Law

The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act was signed by President Bush on December 6th, 2003 with an effective date of February 4th, 2004. It was written to protect you from the conflict of interest where eye doctors both prescribe and sell lenses. Here are your new rights under this law:

Right to Your Prescription
You have a right to your prescription automatically and unconditionally. Once your contact lens fitting is done, your eye doctor must give you a copy of your prescription — whether you ask for it or not – and without an extra fee or the need to sign a waiver or form."

There's a lot of useful information in the article, including that the prescription should include the brand name of the contacts. DS does not. Should I even mention that the doctor didn't sign it? The receptionist signed the doctor's name to it, right in front of us.

I'm looking for a new optician.

If they didn't give you the brand of the contacts, it should be on the bottle label or if you got the daily lenses, it will be on the box.

 

[bcla]

But, after that, if they aren't re-fitting you each time with new lenses, but only checking your prescription, then you should only be charged for the glasses exam. I complained about the "fitting charge" once when they hadn't fitted me for lenses, just the exam and gave me the prescription. They took off the "fitting fee."

I never see it referred to as a "fitting fee", but as a contact lens exam fee. A contact lens model/base curve/diameter that fits you today might not fit you in the future. Whenever I've had the "fitting" portion of the CL exam, I've typically gotten one or two sets of different trial lenses, even if it was the same model/strength I've had before. I've also had cases where I tore a lens, and the eye doc gave me a trial lens to replace it.

If you're forking over a new contact lens exam fee every year, they better actually examine those contacts on your eyes, and maybe even offer a new type to try out.

 

[disney1990]

Federal law says you must be given a copy of your RX for no cost. http://www.krspecs.com/rights/facts2.html

 

[bcla]

Federal law says you must be given a copy of your RX for no cost. http://www.krspecs.com/rights/facts2.html

The text in that link is 20 years old and outdated. It states that federal rules don't require that a contact lens prescription be released, but that's been the case since 2004 - that a contact lens prescription must automatically be released upon completion of the contact lens exam.

One of the weird quirks is that the federal regulations don't require that a practitioner release a duplicate written prescription after the initial prescription is dispensed. State law might vary though. Many will release a written prescription as a courtesy to the patient, but some are steadfast that they won't. Most state laws require a practitioner's office to verify a prescription over the phone if someone goes to an optician. That's not quite the same as having a written prescription in hand, but generally adequate for obtaining eyeglasses or contacts.

 

[Forum Jumper]

Find another optician. My ophthalmologist gives us a copy any time we want it. We buy our glasses as Costco.

Us too. We see an optometrist at Costco (anyone can see them, you don't have to be a member) and they give us a paper copy of our prescription which we take over to the optical department. Our Costco doesn't really want to see the prescription until we order glasses or contacts. When we order, they keep a record of each of our prescriptions. However, if we lose the paper copy, the optical department will send us back to the optometrist to get another paper copy.

I've never heard of an optometrist that won't give you a copy of the services you have already paid for.