An eye prescription details the measurements and lens power required to correct a patient’s vision. This document is created by an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, following a comprehensive eye examination. Obtaining a copy of this prescription is often necessary for patients who wish to purchase corrective lenses from a retailer other than their examining provider. Having your own copy allows the flexibility to shop for the best value on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Your Legal Right to the Prescription
Federal law establishes a patient’s right to their vision correction prescription immediately after a refractive eye exam is completed. The Federal Trade Commission’s Ophthalmic Practice Rules, commonly known as the Eyeglass Rule, mandates that eye doctors must automatically provide a copy of the eyeglass prescription to the patient. This document must be given to you without your having to ask for it.
The rule prohibits providers from conditioning the release of the prescription on the patient agreeing to purchase any ophthalmic goods, such as glasses or contact lenses, from their office. Eye care providers cannot charge additional fees for providing a copy, as the cost is considered part of the eye examination service. The purpose of these regulations is to encourage competition and allow patients to shop around freely for their corrective eyewear.
Recent updates to the Eyeglass Rule require providers to obtain a signed confirmation from the patient that they have received their prescription. While the prescription may be provided electronically, the patient must give verifiable affirmative consent for digital delivery, such as through a secure patient portal or email. If the patient does not consent to electronic delivery, the provider must furnish a physical paper copy.
Methods for Requesting Your Prescription
If you were not provided with your prescription automatically or have misplaced the original document, there are several methods to retrieve a copy from your provider. The most direct approach is a simple phone call to the eye doctor’s office where the examination took place. When calling, be prepared to provide identifying information such as your full name, date of birth, and the approximate date of your last eye exam to help the staff quickly locate your records.
Many modern practices utilize secure, online patient portals that allow you to access your medical records, including your prescription, digitally. After logging in, you can typically find a section for recent documents or test results where the prescription can be viewed, downloaded, and printed. If neither a phone call nor a portal is viable, a formal email request can also be sent, but confirm the practice’s policy for receiving and fulfilling prescription requests via email.
A contact lens prescription is distinct from an eyeglass prescription and cannot be converted by the patient or a retailer. Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, requiring additional measurements like the base curve (BC) and diameter (DIA) to ensure a safe and proper fit on the cornea. Because contacts are considered medical devices, obtaining this prescription requires a separate fitting examination, and the document will also specify the exact lens brand and material.
Understanding Prescription Validity and Expiration
Once you have your copy, check the expiration date, as prescriptions for corrective lenses are not valid indefinitely. Eyeglass prescriptions are valid for a period of one to two years, though the exact duration is governed by minimum timeframes set by state law. Contact lens prescriptions usually have a slightly shorter validity period, expiring after one year.
Prescriptions expire to ensure both accurate vision correction and overall eye health maintenance. Vision changes gradually over time, necessitating regular checkups to ensure the lenses provide the most accurate correction. Regular, comprehensive eye exams also allow the doctor to detect silent conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, which often present with few or no symptoms in their early stages.
If you attempt to purchase glasses or contacts using an expired prescription, most optical retailers will refuse to fill the order. Using an outdated prescription can lead to eye strain, headaches, or the worsening of an undetected underlying eye condition. The expiration date ensures you maintain your eye health by prompting you to schedule a necessary follow-up examination.