Last time I tried to get my prescription from my eye dr to order online, they gave me a really hard time because they wanted me to buy glasses from their store. After almost 15 minutes of going back and forth they finally agreed, but it was very awkward and uncomfortable. I’m going to a new eye dr this week, and was wondering what the best way is to approach getting my prescription and denying getting classes from the Dr office. I appreciate any tips!! Being shy doesn’t help😭 lol
For those of you who order prescription glasses online, how did you go about getting the prescription from your eye Dr and denying buying glasses in the office?
byu/blackmoonxxx inFrugal
Posted by blackmoonxxx
50 Comments
If you’re in the US, the FTC has a rule that requires eye doctors to provide you with a copy of your prescription right after your exam.
[https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-eyeglass-rule](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/complying-eyeglass-rule)
I believe that it shouldn’t be held hostage like that.
However, you could also say you intend on travelling and need a copy of the prescription to take with you. No confrontation necessary.
I think being up front in advance and just tell them you like a specific pair from a place like Warby Parker and need a prescription for it will
make it easier. Gives them less chance to pretend to be blindsided.
I just say “can I please have a copy of my Rx I like to keep a copy in my records.” You could always call beforehand and ask if they have a policy regarding this, and if it’s an issue find a 3rd doctor.
They try to withhold the distance measurement but give the prescription. As you get older, your distance doesn’t change so I use the same over and over.
Fighting for 15 minutes is absolutely worth it since I live prices are so much better. Ask politely and firmly. But by law they are required to give it to you. You are not doing anything wrong. You paid for the service , the eye exam.
They are obligated to provide you with a written copy of your prescription. You are not obligated to buy their overpriced eyewear. I would find a different optician if they acted like this.
Set up an appointment to get a Rx.
Have Dr do the eye test on you.
Thank Dr and ask for the RX.
You requested an eye test not a pair of glasses.
Tell them you will walk out without paying since they have not provided the service you requested.
Give it a try. It’s not that hard to do.
Do you have vision insurance? If so, you might find that a chain location, like Lenscrafters or Americas best, are relatively cheaper than a place like Zenni because of the convenience and location factor. I say relatively because Americas Best is around the corner from me and if the lenses weren’t right, I could just go back and get them fixed instead of going back and forth online. I have a very strong script and got two pair glasses with Transition for $300. They provided me the script and then I went to Zenni and got safety goggles for relatively cheap.
“No thank you, I will not be purchasing glasses today.”
And then don’t purchase glasses.
Work in a lab, our employer offers free prescription safety glasses. Just tell your eye doc you need the Rx for the program.
My last visit, I told them I was there on my lunch break (which was true) and that I’d come back later. A few days later, I emailed them and asked for my rx with PD.
Tell them that the FTC requires them to give you a physical copy of your prescription if you ask.
Unless you have some sort of commitment to your eye doctor, I would suggest you find another one. You have the right to get a copy of your prescription, that’s what you paid for after all.
You will probably have to take the prescription to their optical shop to get your pupaliary distance measured, but that should be free as well.
Ask them for your pupillary distance (PD) while you are there!
Go to a hospital system eye doctor. My experience is that they aren’t getting a cut of glasses sales, so they don’t care at all where you buy them.
Make sure your prescription has the pupillary distance noted.
Ask nicely and stand there until they either give it to you or tell you exactly when you can return and pick it up. Tell them “no thank you” to purchasing glasses through them. They must provide you a written copy of your prescription but some places make it difficult. Don’t give in.
Ummm, I just say, I’d like a written RX for both glasses and contacts.
Im not paying 500 for a pair of glasses I will break (somehow lol) in 20 minutes
Its not hard. Say what you mean, and mean what you say
I just ask the front desk to print it for me, and they immediately do. Some places proactively give it asnpartnof the visit summary paperwork. It won’t be a problem for you.
I said hi. One appointment please. Ok thanks can you email me the script. Great thank you have a great day. They know.
If they didn’t charge 179362992749$ for glasses I can get on Zenni for like 14$ I’d prob just get them there. I buy two pair JUSTTT in case. Since that time I didn’t break one, but just straight up lost them. To today I can’t find them.
I legitimately need a copy of my prescription because I have to wear safety glasses with side shields at work. You could always just tell them that you need a copy of your prescription for work!
If they are pressuring you to buy, you’re going to the wrong office.
I explained to them that I don’t have the money for their frames. They finally let me buy them by myself. It took some back and forth but I was firm.
It is your right!
The have to give you the prescription – it’s what you’re paying for. If they push back at all, simply say “I believe you have to share my medical records with me upon request. I’m requesting my prescription now.”
By law they must give you the prescription. I tell them when I sit first that I want a copy of it before I leave. I tell them I cannot see well after they dilate my eyes and I’m not choosing frames when I just want to get in my car and go home and rest my eyes. Never been an issue anymore.
So I’ve had that same experience but then found an optometrist’s office that doesn’t sell glasses, so you go in, get your exam, and get out. It’s nice.
My eye doctor does the same.
1. I tell them I’m busy after and not available to buy glasses today. Then I don’t come back til my next eye appointment
2. I say I don’t need new ones, just wanted a check up on my eyes and see if my prescription has changed
3. I ask them to show me ones that will be fully covered by my insurance. (They don’t have any). Then I have a reason to say “ok no glasses for me” and leave
“Thanks I’ll have a think about the options you’ve got in store. By the way, please email me a copy of my prescription and include the PD (Pupillary Distance). Thanks so much!
I go to Walmart. The optometrist there seems to almost expect it, no hard time given.
I usually ask for a copy at the time of my exam. Not that this helps now sorry. But going forward this was easiest for me!
They have to give you the prescription. I never fill the prescription at the doctor’s office. I always go to Costco because I save hundreds of dollars there.
You pay for a prescription and you aren’t obligated to pay their prices for their attached sales room. It’s important you ask for that prescription and check it over. They have to give it to you.
I’d go to a different place if they can’t take no for an answer. Mine always asks me if I want to look at glasses or purchase anything today. Once I looked because I wanted to try out different frames, but normally I just say “no thanks”. Then they give my prescription and I leave usually all within 5 minutes.
I asked them to please write down my exact prescription for me.
Told them directly that I was going to buy online to save money because I said I couldn’t afford how expensive eyeglasses are
I’ve just asked.
“I don’t have time to shop around, can I please get a copy of my prescription?”
I told them I can’t afford their glasses & unfortunately need to purchase elsewhere. I have never had any issues getting my prescription.
They are required to give you a copy of your prescription and also ask them for your PD. You’ll need this if you order online.
After paying over $600 for tri-focals and frames, I now buy a whole bunch of readers from Amazon, try them all on, then return the ones I don’t like. I send the frames to Lens Factory. Their tri-focals are about $100 and the frames were about $15. I’ve used them twice and the prescription has been perfect each time.
“I would like my prescription please. I am not buying glasses today.”
I had that happen once. I got an eye exam but did not order contact lenses through them, and they asked me why. I understand these places make most of their money by selling eyewear, but it felt a bit pushy.
I told them the truth. My mom worked for a group of eye doctors but she doesn’t live near me. So I got the eye exam locally but she was able to get my contacts for next to nothing. They can’t argue with or match FREE.
But really, you don’t need to say anything. They legally have to give you your prescription.
If you feel uncomfortable saying “no, thank you”, you could just say that you aren’t in a financial position to buy glasses today, but would like to come back in a couple of weeks when you have more time and money. Take a business card and everything. Then do what you want.
But also, please practice being perfectly fine with saying no to things you don’t want to do. “No” is a complete sentence.
Go to a new office. That’s your information. I’ve never had a problem getting my prescription from an eye doctor. And never felt pressure to buy in store. That is not normal
I am vision impaired so I see the eye doctor & specialists a lot and people have given great advice but just want to add that you need to find a new eye doctor. They should absolutely not be pressuring you like that.
My eye doctor just prints it automatically and gives it to me, they do have an attached optician but I’ve never gotten glasses there and they’ve never even asked about it. Are you going to a chain? If so, maybe a private optometrist would be better.
I know we all do this at times. Yet we ALL need to stop catering to businesses that do this type of thing. I’ve ran into it as well.
You have every right, legally as well as morally to ask for you RX. If they make it awkward then let them bask in it and just keep pushing that city want your RX and yuh will decide at a later date and time where and what you’re buying frames wise. Don’t bother coming up with a bunch of bogus reasons to get it, it’s yours and that’s reason enough.
Yea I realize that’s difficult to do lol
I broke my last frame from America’s Best, they seem to always fall apart 1yr after purchase. I decided to go to Pearle vision to see if they could fix it, I was blind without glasses…
They charged me $450 just for Nike frames that fit my lenses, not even a new frame… Used Demo. Looked up the price online after all the drama.. only $75 for the same Nike new frames.
Criminals. 😞
I just ask and they give it to me
What most Dr’s offices won’t give you is the PD number (distance between your pupils). There are lots of phone apps that will give you this number. I have ordered dozens of progressive lenses from online retailers with very few issues.
hopefully the new dr’s office won’t be so pushy!! if not a polite but firm “just my prescription today please” should be enough and if it’s not i would probably keep looking for a new eye doctor for next time if you can. maybe i’ve just been lucky but i’ve never encountered an eye doctor that wasn’t totally fine with me not buying glasses in-office
I always ask for a printed prescription when leaving. They always try to automatically sit me with a sales rep and I just tell them no. The one time I did sit down I regretted it because nothing they can offer beats the five pairs I like to own from Zenni. I want glasses I can lose or sit on without worrying
I just looked at a few and decided I would rather pay $40 TOTAL then like $400 lol. So I just said I can’t afford it I’m getting mine online and would like my prescription printed. That’s it. I don’t care if it feels awkward.