Why Do You HAVE to Go to the Doctor Before Getting More Contact Lenses?
May 9th, 2010 | See the Top Answers to this Question Below
I ran out of my contact lenses and now I have to visit the optometrist before I can get more.
My eyes are perfectly fine and haven’t changed a bit since my last visit.
Why can’t I just save some money and tI ame and just buy more?!
My mom and I were arguing about this yesterday. She says that they require us to visit the optometrist before they will let us purchase more contacts.
That just seems unnecessary.
I am 18 by the way…
More Contact Lens Websites:
- Optometrist Directory – U.S. Optometrists and Opticians
- NEW CONTACT LENSES COULD IMPROVE GLAUCOMA TREATMENT | NIGERIA GENERAL TOPICS, FREE, WEBSITES, INTERNET, WEBHOSTING, DEBATES, FAMILY, SOCIETY, REAL ESTATES, BUSINESS
- Glow in the Dark Contact Lenses. Orange, Pink, Green, Yellow Glow Black Light Contact Lenses | Green Contact Lenses
Popularity: 4% [?]
Posted in 
Tags: 
Because legally contact lens prescriptions are only good for one year (depending on where you live). It is a prescription, just like any other prescription you get from a doctor, so yes, it has an expiration date. And how do you know your eyes haven’t changed? It’s not just your vision that is being checked, it is the overall health of your eye. Contacts greatly restrict the flow of oxygen into your eyes, and can cause problems that you may not be aware of. The doctor has to check to make sure your eyes are healthy. If he were to fill an expired prescription, and something went wrong with your eyes, he would be held liable and would have to deal with a hell of a lawsuit.
I’ve often wondered the same thing. If our eyes haven’t changed and they aren’t bothering us, why do we have to make an appointment? I think it is all about the eye doctors making $.
Because sometimes your prescription changes.
You don’t have to. Just bring in an old eye examination.
When your dr first gives you the exam – ask him for a written prescription..; this way you can order them elsewhere including online for alot cheaper. The prescription is good for a year so do not give the original to anyone – make copies and keep it in a safe place if you do not plan on ordering them from the same place.
You should only need an actual exam yearly if you do it this way.
I have been doing this for 5 years.
You have to have the health of your eye checked. They also need to check whether your prescription has changes, or the curvature of your eye, etc. If they just let you fill your prescription and then something went horribly wrong with your eye… they would be liable. No one wants to lose their license over a lawsuit.
Sometimes its not necessary, but prescriptions do change. The other thing is regulations and such; sometimes doctors may agree with the patient that visits are unnecessary, yet still must conduct them. They also make money off of them, so I don’t think they will end soon.
a prescription only lasts 2 years. its illegal to fill a an eye prescription that’s more than 2 years old. So you will have to have your eyes tested again. ( 1 year if under 18)
They just want to check your eyes to be sure that your prescription, if it hasn’t changed then he should be able to write you another prescription.
Ahh.
Good question :3
You see, since you’re still young, eye prescription changes frequently.
It is also to make sure your eyes are healthy, and store bought contacts are -not- the best way to go.
It is necessary to take precautions when dealing with the eyes.
If I recall correctly, getting them without prescription was made illegal within the last few years. The reason for this is possibly to prevent terrorists from fooling iris scanners like that used at Department of Transportation offices.
You only have to if it’s been a year since your last exam.
Because you have to get your eyes checked to whether or not you contact lenses need more magnification or if had had any allergies or any kind of discomfort.
So how do you know that your eyes are perfectly fine and haven’t changed a bit since your last visit? Did you look at them with a slit lamp and an ophthalmoscope and then refract yourself? I’m assuming not, so be thankful you have a doctor who will do it for you.