Acquiring your prescription from LensCrafters after a comprehensive eye examination is a straightforward process, as the document is legally considered your personal health property. Understanding how to quickly retrieve this information is helpful, whether you plan to purchase eyewear immediately or take your prescription to an outside retailer. The prescription contains the precise measurements needed to correct your vision. Knowing your legal rights and the methods for obtaining your record ensures a smooth experience.
The Legal Right to Your Prescription
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) “Eyeglass Rule” (16 CFR Part 456) establishes a patient’s right to their prescription immediately following an eye exam. This federal regulation mandates that eye care providers, including the independent doctors of optometry located at or next to LensCrafters, must automatically provide a copy of the eyeglass prescription. The prescriber must hand over this document right after the refractive portion of the exam is complete, even if the patient does not specifically request it.
The rule prohibits the eye doctor from withholding the prescription as a way to compel a purchase of glasses or contact lenses from their location. They cannot require you to buy any ophthalmic goods as a condition of releasing the prescription, nor can they charge an extra fee for the document itself. The only condition under which a prescriber can delay releasing the prescription is if the patient has not yet paid for the eye exam.
Step-by-Step Methods for Obtaining the Document
The most direct method for obtaining a copy of your prescription is to request it in person at the time of your eye examination. The FTC rule requires the doctor’s office to provide a paper copy immediately, which you should receive before you leave the exam area or speak with any sales associate. You should be prepared to sign a confirmation of receipt, as the updated Eyeglass Rule requires prescribers to maintain a record of this release for three years.
If you need a copy of an older prescription, contacting the office of the independent doctor who performed the exam is the next step. You can call the specific LensCrafters store location, and they will connect you with the doctor’s office staff to request the document over the phone. You will likely need to provide specific identifying information, such as your full name, date of birth, and the date of the original exam, for verification purposes.
Digital retrieval is often handled through a patient portal system managed by the independent doctor’s office, such as RevolutionPHR. This portal provides secure, online access to your personal health records, including your glasses and contact lens prescriptions. You may need to ask the doctor’s office staff for the necessary login credentials to access your prescription through this secure online platform.
Understanding the Details on Your Prescription
An eyeglass prescription uses a standardized format with Latin abbreviations to indicate the required correction for each eye. The abbreviation OD, short for Oculus Dexter, always refers to the right eye, while OS, or Oculus Sinister, indicates the left eye. The SPH, or Sphere, value specifies the main lens power required to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness, measured in diopters.
If you have astigmatism, you will see values for CYL (Cylinder) and AXIS, which work together to correct the irregular curvature of the eye. The CYL value notes the amount of correction needed, and the AXIS is a number between 1 and 180 that shows the precise angle of correction. For patients requiring reading correction, the ADD (Addition) value indicates the extra magnifying power needed for the lower portion of a bifocal or progressive lens.
The prescription will also include an expiration date, which is set by the prescribing doctor based on state laws, usually lasting between one and two years. This date is important because it signifies when a new eye exam is necessary to ensure the prescription remains accurate and to check for any changes in eye health.
Key Differences Between Glasses and Contact Lens Prescriptions
A common misunderstanding is that a glasses prescription can be used to purchase contact lenses, but the two documents are not interchangeable. Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the cornea, which is a zero distance, while eyeglass lenses rest approximately 12 millimeters away from the eye. This difference, known as vertex distance, changes the effective power of the lens, requiring a mathematical adjustment, especially for prescriptions of +/- 4.00 diopters or higher.
A contact lens prescription requires several additional, highly specific parameters that are not necessary for glasses. These include the Base Curve (BC) and the Diameter (DIA), both measured in millimeters.
The Base Curve defines the curvature of the back of the contact lens and must match the natural curvature of your cornea for a proper, healthy fit. The Diameter specifies the overall width of the lens, ensuring it correctly covers the cornea and rests comfortably on the eye. Furthermore, a contact lens prescription must also specify the exact brand and manufacturer of the lens, which is determined during a separate contact lens fitting exam. This separate fitting is essential because an improperly fitted contact lens can cause discomfort, irritation, or even damage to the eye.