Is it legal for my eye dr. to refuse to give me my contact lenses prescription?

Question

I just lost my last pair of contact lenses. I am having to wear my glasses right now and I hate it. I called my eye doctor to try and get my contact lenses prescription and they refused to give it to me without first seeing the eye doctor and paying an arm and a leg for the dr. visit, not to mention ordering new contacts. I just want my prescription so I can order them online! Are they really legally entitled to withold that information from me? I live in Missouri.

Answer 1

That's actually a law the state mandates not the doctor. By law your prescription can be no more then one year old, The contact people wouldn't fill if you had it because they have to obey the same law.

Answer 2

Yes you need to have your eyes check firsts, it is legal for malpractice reasons.

Answer 3

If it's been a while since you last saw your eye doc, yes, legally, he has every right to tell you that you need to be seen to get a prescription. He will also more than likely do an eye exam on you to make sure the prescription did not change. It's in your best interest.

Answer 4

I think it depends on how old the prescription is. Eye exam prescriptions last a max of one year in CA so they may have you in a bind if so many days have passed.

Answer 5

u lost them.... its your fault... i say YES!!