Eye doctor refuses to give me my lens prescription?

Question

My last eye exam was 3 years ago at this particular eye doctor. I have had an exam at a different one since, but my pupilary distance was not noted on that prescription. I wanted to get my pupilary distance from the 3 year old prescription, but was refused. Is it true that they have to give it to me by law, since I paid for it, and if so what is the law can I tell them they need to abide by? I know I can measure it myself, but I feel safer using the one measured by the doctor.

Answer 1

They can't give it to you because you should have your eyes examined every year.  They can't give it to you because your pupilary distance may have changed and they would be giving you the wrong info.  I have a couple of eye problems myself and I had to go through a complete exam all over again just to get the SAME prescription I already had.

Answer 2

Access to all non-damaging (in the case of psychological records that may cause the patient emotional harm, this may be considered damaging) patient medical records is an absolute must under HIPAA - they probably gave you a sheet of information about HIPAA, which you signed.

They must give you access to those records within 30 days of the first time you requested the information. They may charge you a 'reasonable' fee for copying this. If not, they are in violation of the law.

Answer 3

They only have to release your prescription to you if it is still valid. State laws are different. if it is a contact lens prescription in every state but 6 it is good for 1 year so then it would be 2 year expired. If you are in WA, MN, NM, UT, OH, or FL contact lens prescriptions are good for 2 years. So even in those states your prescription is legally expired, so the doctor does not have to give you your prescription. And even if they did it would be void and no one would be able to fill it. If it's a glasses prescription every state honors them for 2 years but that would put you in the same situation. If you the doctor you went to that didn't give you what your pupilary distance is and based on your state laws your prescription is still valid with them. They are required by the "Fairness to Contact lens act" to give you your prescription. Once again that is only the case if your prescription is still valid.

Answer 4

Are you looking for your pupilary distance (PD) because you are getting new eyeglasses?

It may depend on where you are from but around me in Boston you are always entitled to your prescription, even if it has been a couple of years- just be aware that there will be an expiration date on it that makes it invalid...So you won't be able to use that information to order a new pair of glasses.

Luckily, all optical shops have a device that can measure your PD (called the pupilometer) and since you have a new prescription that is still valid, that's all you really need to bring in to order some glasses.

If you're not getting glasses and just want to know, how about you try calling up your most recent doctor and ask them for your PD? This will be a more current measurement and since the prescription is still valid you should have less trouble obtaining this measurement.

Answer 5

The doctor will give you a copy of your record including pd if he took it.

The problem is that a patient may want to order contact lenses without anyone fitting them, or may want to get new glasses with the 3 year old prescription.

The doctor will not give you a prescription for lenses based on a 3 year old examination.

Some people believe they need to go to the doctor only once in their life and wear that same Rx for life.

Answer 6

If your last eye exam is three years in the past, then your prescription is no longer legally valid.  You must submit to an eye exam every two years and get a new prescription.  This is simply because your prescription can change over time, and as you age.  

He must release your prescription to you-- and you can always choose a different doctor-- but you still need a new exam.