forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

is it seen to be in "bad taste" if i go to the eye dr, get my eyes checked, get a prescription, and ask for the prescription "to go" because i don't want to buy my glasses from them?

the frames are always crazy expensive, even with my pretty good insurance. i want to look at the cute/inexpensive glasses i see all over the internet.

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

Not at all. I have done it.
Just tell them you aren't looking to buy new glasses right now, but just want your exam and your prescription updated and ask for a copy of the prescription.

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

The optometrist will want you to spend more $ there, but you aren't obligated too. Some places may be more annoyed by it than others, but if they wanted your business they should lower their prices, not guilt you in to it.

I am not sure how it is on CA, but I believe in NYS they have to give your prescription if you ask. My place never offers, bt I always ask, just because I like to have it as a back up.

I have 3 prescriptions: multifocal, reading ( for when I wear contacts) and contacts. I always buy at least 1 thing from there, b.c it is covered under insurance, but I can never get all 3 covered, So sometimes I don't get new glasses if I am not wearing them often. My other $ saving trick is to reuse my frames as long as as I can and just get new lenses.

For the cute on the internet glasses, I find that I can never use those places because I have a very strong prescription, and some don't do multifocal, so read the fine print.

Message edited 9/28/2020 5:12:15 PM.

forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

Places like Pearle will give it to you no question. But, smaller mom & pop places in my town charge $35-$50 if you ask for it "to go".

forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

Places like Pearle will give it to you no question. But, smaller mom & pop places in my town charge $35-$50 if you ask for it "to go".

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

I’ve done this several times.

I got my test at Pearle, ordered Warby Parker’s and Pearle even adjusted them for free. They are so nice there.

Message edited 9/28/2020 6:17:35 PM.

forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

I do it all the time. I usually order my glasses online for way cheaper

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

I always feel weird about asking but if they give me a hard time I say I want to buy glasses that they don't sell, like Tom Ford or Chanel. They try to sell me on something "similar" but I always get the script.

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question

You need to specifically ask for the interpupillary distance. Many will give you your prescription but without that measurement, it is hard to buy glasses online.

Re: forgive my ignorance - eye dr question