topic Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine? in Wellness

Question about my Opthamologist examine?

casuallady — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 22:34:02 GMT

Last fall I went to my Opthamologist for my bi-annual eye examine. I am 69 and have a cataract but not ready to remove. Other then that my eyes did not change much. When I was paying I asked for my prescription, and the clerk said they didn't give me one since my eyes haven't changed much. She said if I needed one to come in, well today I decided to get one for new prescription sun classes. We are going to the Masters and would like to have them for the beginning of April. When I called the Opth. Office the receptionist said they couldn't give me one and it would be fraud to give me one from 2011??? What, I didn't want one from 2011, I wanted the end of 2013. She said I would need to schedule a fracturing appt. and that would be April 4th. We are leaving for the open on the 6th.

My next option was Pearl Vision, since I had a $30.00 coupon. I went there this afternoon, and picked out frames, the Optometrist fit me in and my classes will be her in 7-10days.

Is this legal to do an eye examine, then not give a prescription? She did not say I would need to come back in for another examine.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

violann — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:51:07 GMT

I see a very fine ophthalmologist, after going to the same ophthalmologist for about 50 years! I have recently become aware of my own responsibility in getting the very best results for my vision. I learned that it is not necessary to wait for a cataract to "ripen" or "mature" before removal. If you are diagnosed with cataracts, it is just as good to have them removed early as it is to wait. The other thing I learned is that the patient needs to develop a very specific, accurate description of how they are effected by vision issues. Even my husband wasn't aware that I had double vision until I described it to him just before my surgery. If your vision isn't allowing you to do what you want/need to do, be sure to let your physician know, and keep trying until the physician understands what you are talking about.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

colliegirls — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:03:55 GMT

Did Pearl Vision give you an exam? I am a little confused. I always get the new prescription, since no one will accept a prescription more than 1 year old, when I leave the exam unless I am getting my glasses from their optical store. I always get my contact lens prescription also, in case I am on vacation and need new contacts for any reason. If they refuse to give you your new prescription, I would change doctors.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

gonnab — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:12:32 GMT

If your vision did not change, why would you expect the doc to give you a new prescription?

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

fthunt — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:23:11 GMT

I hope Pearl's frames have improved since my experience. I had a doctor do the exam and then took the prescription to Pearls because they offered a second glasses/frames for free. I had a terrible time - the lenses kept falling out! On vacation - everywhere I had to carry a set of those tiny screwdrivers - and then attempt to get the (glass) back in the groove (all sides) and then tighten the screws. Sometimes 2 people had to help make it work - two hands not enough to hold everything - lens, frame and screwdriver!

I now willingly pay the higher price and buy all my glasses from my doctor. No more problems!

Good Luck

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Logica — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:24:36 GMT

Here's an explanation drawn from personal experience and it may help. You may not need a new pair of glasses because they cannot correct your vision any more than it has already been corrected and a new pair of glasses will not do any more for you than an old pair of glasses except maybe change the frame. It seems your ophthalmologist is putting your welfare first and clearly wants to save you an unneeded cost. It's possible PV's exam will result in a new pair of glasses but it will not improve your vision if the prescription is about the same or tweaked just a tad. This happened to me and I eventually had both cataracts removed and now see 20/20 with glasses. As far as vision correction I was at the end of the line and you do not want to pay for a new pair twice.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

conlt — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:24:54 GMT

I go to the Opthomologist every year. In order to get a new glasses prescription, I ask them to do a refraction. I pay for that myself since the insurance does not pay for it. It is not expensive at all.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

apple1964 — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:27:45 GMT

What are sun classes?

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

VaBelle35 — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:35:35 GMT

I go to an MD/Opthomologist every year and even though my eyes do not change at all or do not change much (I have mild astigmatism), they always give me a fresh prescription and she will also make the minor adjustment in it in the event I want to get new lenses. I never have to ask, she just writes out the prescription for me to do with what I choose.

The prescription is based on the refraction procedure plus the manual eye chart exam. If they had not done both of these at your last appointment, I can see why they would not give you the prescription because they didn't have one to give you. Saying that giving you your 2011 prescription is fraud I think is an odd choice of words for them to use and perhaps she meant something else, closer to "not practicing good medicine."

If they did do both of those procedures at your last exam, then there is no reason whey they can't give you the prescription without having to come in.

Perhaps you need to call them back and confirm whether these were done or not. Although at this point since you went to another place, it serves no purpose only to get you all worked up again.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

rambocat — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:37:41 GMT

If you're on Medicare, they cover Ophthalmologist's visits. They have specific rules about the timeline of certain tests. It could be that unless the Dr suspected a problem they won't won't pay for an exam to change your prescription so soon.

An example is mammograms are covered every 366 days, unless there is a problem and the test is need sooner.

Did PV give you an exam or just copy your current prescription?

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

colliegirls — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:39:01 GMT

Whether your prescription changes or not, no one (that I am aware of) will fill any prescription that is more than a year old. That is why you need a newly written prescription every time you see the eye doctor for a glasses or contact lens exam.

Even if one's prescription has not changed in years, it does not mean that you want to wear the same out of style frames for ages. Of course you get the new prescription each year!

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

KentuckyWoman — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 14:40:15 GMT

None of my doctors will write a prescription for me over the phone without an in office visit first. Since your vision had not changed at the time of your last exam, I can see the receptionists point of view.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Logica — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:23:37 GMT

On 3/15/2014 VaBelle35 said:
I go to an MD/Opthomologist every year and even though my eyes do not change at all or do not change much (I have mild astigmatism), they always give me a fresh prescription and she will also make the minor adjustment in it in the event I want to get new lenses. I never have to ask, she just writes out the prescription for me to do with what I choose.

The prescription is based on the refraction procedure plus the manual eye chart exam. If they had not done both of these at your last appointment, I can see why they would not give you the prescription because they didn't have one to give you. Saying that giving you your 2011 prescription is fraud I think is an odd choice of words for them to use and perhaps she meant something else, closer to "not practicing good medicine."

If they did do both of those procedures at your last exam, then there is no reason whey they can't give you the prescription without having to come in.

Perhaps you need to call them back and confirm whether these were done or not. Although at this point since you went to another place, it serves no purpose only to get you all worked up again.

Excellent point and information. I think the "fracturing" that the OP mentioned is the same as the "refraction procedure" you detailed. If it was not done it might be that the 2011 prescription was deemed dated. (I agree, "fraud" is too strong - perhaps invalid would be better)

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

millieshops — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:35:20 GMT

My insurance does not pay for the doctor to provide a script, so, yes, I'd need to have an appointment to get one.

Also, I have been in my doctor's office and had him tell me there was no reason to pay for a new script and then within a few months realize my vision has changed, necessitating going back for a new evaluation. It seems as if sometimes my eyes don't change for years and then they change almost overnight.

My lens are very expensive no matter where I buy them, so I want a fresh script and I'm happy the doctor insists on my seeing him before I buy lens.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Logica — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:53:30 GMT

On 3/15/2014 VaBelle35 said:
I go to an MD/Opthomologist every year and even though my eyes do not change at all or do not change much (I have mild astigmatism), they always give me a fresh prescription and she will also make the minor adjustment in it in the event I want to get new lenses. I never have to ask, she just writes out the prescription for me to do with what I choose.

The prescription is based on the refraction procedure plus the manual eye chart exam. If they had not done both of these at your last appointment, I can see why they would not give you the prescription because they didn't have one to give you. Saying that giving you your 2011 prescription is fraud I think is an odd choice of words for them to use and perhaps she meant something else, closer to "not practicing good medicine."

If they did do both of those procedures at your last exam, then there is no reason whey they can't give you the prescription without having to come in.

Perhaps you need to call them back and confirm whether these were done or not. Although at this point since you went to another place, it serves no purpose only to get you all worked up again.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Sameaslast — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:15:38 GMT

I'm really cranky this morning, and this post drove me crazy...first, it's an exam or examination, a refraction, and a receptionist or office assistant, not a clerk...this is not the post office. Then if a refraction was not done, there is no new prescription to give...and for those of you who take the RX out to optical chains...really??! I know...it's cheaper...because the quality isn't there...and then you cannot hold your doctor responsible for the final job since he has no control over the way the lenses are made...but I know you'll try! If you go to an ophthalmologist, take the prescription to a certified guild optician. If you go to an optometrist, get the glasses through his office. Either way, you will have quality in the product and someone who can handle any issues that may come up...because they know what was prescribed, what was provided, and how to take care of any problems that may arise with getting used to a new prescription, etc. The lengths people go to in order to "save a few bucks" is astounding...and blaming the doctor, rather than understanding what's going on and actually talking to him, seems to be the chosen path. Unbelievable!

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Venezia — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:33:34 GMT

I think there's a lot about this situation that none of us know about, since we "weren't there".

Having worked as an optician (many years ago), I know that, if you have a refraction, the doctor must provide you with a copy of your prescription, when asked. It used to be common practice not to do this, so that customers didn't take their business for the eyeglasses elsewhere. The law was changed to mandate that the customer got a copy of his/her prescription.

I worked for Sears Optical - which was actually Cole National, under the banner of Sears. We had quality frames and lenses and an iron-clad guarantee that, if you were not happy with the glasses for any reason, you could get a different pair or a full refund. We had customers take us up on that and there was never a bit of hassle. Our glasses also included a free two-year warranty.

We also spent a lot of our time repairing the glasses dispensed by another optical shop in the same mall - Pearle Vision! They would dispense glasses that would fall apart in a week and then claim they couldn't repair them. Or, as someone else described, the lenses would keep falling out. I know that eyeglasses are expensive, especially if you have no insurance to cover some of the cost. But these cut-rate places often buy remainders or job lots of discontinued frames, so they can't get replacement parts. One gentleman who came to us to get his week-old frame repaired asked why Pearle couldn't fix their own frame. Professional protocol prevented us from answering.

I have told all of my family and friends to steer well-clear of any of the "one hour", "two for the price of one", "$69 a pair" places. But, in the end, it's the customer's choice.

I suggest the OP go into the opthamologist's office and ask exactly why she can't be given a prescription. That's the only logical answer. It may be a simple misunderstanding.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

redtabby — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:38:07 GMT

To answer the question, legally the ophthalmologist has to give you a copy of the current prescription, whether or not there was a change from the previous exam. A prescription is only valid for one year. The FTC regulation forbids an extra charge or service requirement for the prescription. http://glassyeyes.blogspot.com/2006/11/eyeglass-prescription-law-here-is.html

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Madisson — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:44:06 GMT

Casuallady, doctors of all types have different types of exams that they do and charge for. If the doctor did not do and charge for the refraction exam, then he would not give you a prescription.

My eye doctor told me that prescriptions are good for two years, so if your last refraction exam was in 2011, then it would be out of date.

Re: Question about my Opthamologist examine?

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:48:26 GMT

I agree with the terminology .... it's an exam or examination , not an "examine".

Secondly, the "prescription" may not have changed, but the cataracts have, making the view seen through the glasses to be less sharp. That's what happened to me the last time I had glasses made. I had to ask them to remake them and they weren't any clearer than the first pair .... an opthamologist kindly pointed out that the fuzziness was due to cataracts.

I, too, am not ready for surgery ..... so I live with a low level of constant "fuzziness".