How to stand up to the optician and walk away with only a copy of my prescription?

[ineedareasonto]

Off for an eye test this morning because I’m getting headaches at work when looking at my computer for long stretches. I do not want to purchase glasses there because they’re extortionate and I’m probably going to get them online. How do I make sure I get a copy of my prescription? Posting here for traffic

Good reading. My daughter just got prescribed glasses two years ago. First year we just got them from the place she got her eye test done. 2nd year she had to go back for a check up, she had asked me if she could get nicer glasses from some of the places advertised online, had a look, needed to know the prescription, optician fully refused to give us it. Told us they "don't do that". I found it strange, obviously, but I've never had glasses and don't know much about how it works. Never really bothered looking in to it. Now we know 😂

They refused to give you her prescription? You paid for the test, it's yours.

They are obliged to give you the prescription. No need to "stand up" to anybody.

Just pay for your test and then, if asked, tell them the truth - that you want to shop around for major purchases like that, though I have to say that I certainly don't find Specsavers overly expensive. I have to get bifocals, with transitions lenses (flat, cheap sunglasses are just no use to me, can see nothing with them) and thinned down too. So wherever I go it comes to over £200 and believe me I have tried it.

No need for the obfuscation or overthinking.

They have to give you your prescription but not your PD measurement as that is measured when they measure for glasses. - if they're not making up glasses for you they don't measure it so don't have it to give you.

I’ve bought my glasses online for years and have never had an issue just leaving with my prescription.

Have you checked with your employer about the eye tests ?
Both DH & I have got tests & glasses paid for by our employers as we both work with screens.

If you actually meant "you do you", you wouldn't have needed to say it.

I understand why the OP does this.

But not the other posters who purchase their glasses from another bricks and mortar optician... in that case, why wouldn't you get both done at the same place?

I go to an independent opticians. They automatically give me a print of my prescription every time.

But in your circumstances why not just say, “I won’t be choosing new glasses today but I would like a copy of my prescription.”

If specsavers charge you £250 I would suggest you may have a 'complex prescription' and may not find it easy to buy on line.

I may be wrong, but I think some opticians have more advanced equipment which allows for more in depth examinations, hence why you may prefer to have your test done at one place over another.

My employer gives us vouchers for a free eye tests from boots. But their glasses are more expensive than elsewhere. So I take my prescription and buy the glasses at a different optician.

They legally have to give you your prescription as others have stated. The pupillary distance isn't part of the optometrists prescription and is usually calculated by the dispensing optician.

To my knowledge the optometrist themselves shouldn't be on commission, but the dispensing opticians certainly will be, which is why the PD can be tricky to get hold of.

The eye tests are, however, very heavily subsidised by the opticians glasses / aftersales and it's worthwhile being aware of this when dealing with the staff involved.

I personally would prefer if the model changed so that it was possible to pay an appropriate fee that actually covered the eye test cost.

Until it does then a certain percentage of customers will have to work around the issue as others have said. However, I'm sure if the opticians were losing money with the current arrangement overall it would change pretty quickly, so I don't personally feel too bad about it!

No new glasses needed, so now I feel like a tit!

There’s an online PD checker you can use. You just need something the size of a bank card or driving licence.

Nope it’s very basic! But for some reason they just love to upsell, so I won’t be buying from them!

You can buy pupil distance measures from Amazon for a fiver

This. It's simple.

Yes. I bet my specs from Boots but I also bought a spare pair online ( Optical Express). They are nice but the vision never felt quite right. I took them with me when I went for a check-up at Boots and asked the optician to have a look. She said the distance between the middle of both lenses is 59mm and I need 65mm! So they just fit the lenses into a frame, without actually fitting them to you individually.

I would say your range is out of my budget. I’ve already found a pair online that I like.
It’ll be good for your confidence to be direct. I understand that it can be hard to find your voice.

You don’t need to go through a performance. You just ask for your prescription, say thanks and leave. There is no condition attached your appointment that means you have to buy your glasses there.

I have a complex prescription but Glasses Direct (online retailer) cope admirably.

You’re lucky - I wear lenses, but when I have to get new glasses as well, usually only every 7-8 years I daren’t get them online as I have one ear slightly higher than the other and need to get them properly adjusted. £400 last time.

Since my optician retired and sold to another practice I’ve noticed they seem keener to persuade you to get new glasses or at least upgrade the lenses. I only wear them for a couple of hours at night and first thing in the morning. I’m going to wait until at least one more slight prescription change. I’m not paying £400 every three years on top of £50 a month for lenses. I’ve checked the lenses price online and they aren’t any cheaper unfortunately.

I have never had to 'stand up to' them. They test my eyes, they give me the prescription, I leave. It's been years since you have been obliged to buy your specs from the high street optician.

Goodness how do people cope in their daily life. You needed someone to tell you what to do op.
you simply just ask and why would you bother making excuses?
how do you cope at the hairdresser when they offer you new products?
You simply say thank you, I will think about it and come back if I need to. That is ALL.