Can someone please explain this

nboy22

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2002
3,304
1
81
Can someone please elaborate on the reason that after a year, a prescription for contact lenses expires?

I was recently informed by my eye doctor that I would need to have another eye exam before I could order more contact lenses. This is a pain in the ass because I have to take time out of my life to go get an eye exam when I don't need it, I mean hell, it's not like I'm getting drugs or anything, it's only lenses that make you see better.

What is the reason for all of this?
 

Slew Foot

Lifer
Sep 22, 2005
12,379
96
86
Because if the lenses are off and you run over some kid while driving it's his ass on the line.

 

nboy22

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2002
3,304
1
81
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Because if the lenses are off and you run over some kid while driving it's his ass on the line.

Yeah ... that's understandable. But I really don't think there should be some kind of law about that at all. I find it more the liability of the patient because he/she obviously knows what's right or wrong.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Because if the lenses are off and you run over some kid while driving it's his ass on the line.

If that were true, you'd have to turn in your glasses every year too.
 

nboy22

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2002
3,304
1
81
Originally posted by: Cdubneeddeal
Has it been more than two years? Eye prescriptions are only valid for that time frame.

It's been like a year. A year and a half at most because I know I got my eyes checked before I went off to college.. in the beginning of the summer.
 

Siddhartha

Lifer
Oct 17, 1999
12,505
3
81
Originally posted by: nboy22
Can someone please elaborate on the reason that after a year, a prescription for contact lenses expires?

I was recently informed by my eye doctor that I would need to have another eye exam before I could order more contact lenses. This is a pain in the ass because I have to take time out of my life to go get an eye exam when I don't need it, I mean hell, it's not like I'm getting drugs or anything, it's only lenses that make you see better.

What is the reason for all of this?

Because in the long run, it is for your own good. Your eyes do change over time.
 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
Perscription is only good for a year. Just like other medicine, you can normally only get a month supply plus 2 refills before you have to go in again.

Your curvature could change over a period of time (I am assuming it would normally be over a year since that's the law) and if they kept perscribing you the wrong one it could cut your eye up then you would try and sue them.
 

KingTech

Member
Sep 17, 2007
144
0
0
Originally posted by: Siddhartha
Originally posted by: nboy22
Can someone please elaborate on the reason that after a year, a prescription for contact lenses expires?

I was recently informed by my eye doctor that I would need to have another eye exam before I could order more contact lenses. This is a pain in the ass because I have to take time out of my life to go get an eye exam when I don't need it, I mean hell, it's not like I'm getting drugs or anything, it's only lenses that make you see better.

What is the reason for all of this?

Because in the long run, it is for your own good. Your eyes do change over time.
Absolutely right;i agree with you and that's why every one should have his\her eyes checked every let;s say year or two years.
Because the flexibility of the The crystalline body in the eye changes year after year as the person gets oder ;so that's why lenses have to be changed by time.
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,354
10,880
136
My perscription hasn't changed at all in almost 10 years, but I still go to get my eyes checked at least once a year anyway... its just common sense.
 

alrocky

Golden Member
Jan 22, 2001
1,771
0
0
Originally posted by: nboy22
I was recently informed by my eye doctor that I would need to have another eye exam before I could order more contact lenses. This is a pain in the ass because I have to take time out of my life to go get an eye exam when I don't need it. What is the reason for all of this?

It didn't occur to you to ask the eye doctor when s/he first told you? Docs can't rely on patients to always tell them the truth about what they need or don't need.

 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
I was surprised when i went to costco and they didn't let me buy contacts too... I need to get an exam soon, ive been using my last pair of 2 week disposables for about 2 months now.
 

CycloWizard

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
12,348
1
81
Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Because if the lenses are off and you run over some kid while driving it's his ass on the line.
Exactly.
Originally posted by: nboy22
Yeah ... that's understandable. But I really don't think there should be some kind of law about that at all. I find it more the liability of the patient because he/she obviously knows what's right or wrong.
But you don't always know when your vision changes. Slow changes in vision are not perceivable by the individual due to "pseudoaccommodative" effects, which basically means that you always think you can see better than you really do.
 

allisolm

Elite Member
Administrator
Jan 2, 2001
25,358
5,059
136
Originally posted by: nboy22
Can someone please elaborate on the reason that after a year, a prescription for contact lenses expires?

Because you're putting a foreign body in your eyes on a daily basis? A practice that can result in a long list of complications up to and including blindness. Not to mention that it's more profitable for the doctor - I'm sure that never even enters the equation. ;)
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
Whatever, it's bullshit. "Because its good for you," give me a break, it's good for the eye doctor's wallet. I believe it's a law in many states. What's next, a law that you have to change your oil every 3,000 miles "Because we say it's good for you"? I haven't been to the eye doctor in 5 or 6 years, and am doing fine. I just order my lenses through http://www.1-save-on-lens.com/ You put in what your prescription is and you don't have to fax them a copy of your prescription or anything. They called me once after an order and I just made up some BS about going to Walmart vision center within the last year.
 

Henrythewound

Senior member
Oct 25, 2002
477
0
0
I initially though the main reason would be $$ but now I am not so sure. If it was for $$ the online contact dealers would be happy to sell you lenses regardless of whether or not they were the right prescription. I am curious now whether it has something to do with liability.
 

Kelemvor

Lifer
May 23, 2002
16,928
8
81
Just pay attention and get new contacts or glasses a week before it expires. Then you're good to go for another while. I don't think they can legally deny you if you have a valid prescription that has an expiration ate and has not reached it.

I only get new glasses every few years when they get really scratched out and such since my prescription doesn't change much.