Do they have to give you your prescription?

If you go to an eye doctor for an exam, are they required by law to
give you your prescription? And if this is not a requirement, do most
places let you know what your prescription is to at least give you the
choice of where to get your glasses? How do most places handle this
sort of thing?

NJA

 

Dear NJA,


In the USA the OD is required to give you a copy of your prescription.

Enjoy,

 

AFAIK in the US this is handled by state law. Most [all?]
states require giving patients glasses prescriptions, but not
all require giving contact lens prescriptions. Presumably to
encourage/bundle follow-up. In the US, I do not believe
the doc is ever _forbidden_ from giving out a prescription,
but they might be in other countries.

-- Robert

 

That is not exactly correct. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has issued a
regulation applying to all states that the Rx must be given to the patient.
The rules for contacts are a little different, since you don't get the Rx
until the fitting is complete (but you still get it).

If they don't give you the Rx, just ask for it. If they hesitate, then
remind them of the FTC regulation (they know about it) and review your Rx
carefully to make sure you can read all they numbers and that there are no
"typos" (or sloppy handwriting) which may mysteriously occur when they are
forced to hand it over.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt143.shtm