Opticians Refusing To Disclose My Data

I had an eye test paid for by my employer, and was also entitled to free glasses. As part of that service my pupillary distance was measured, something that allowed the glasses to be fitted properly.

By law, you are allowed to request a copy of your prescription to take elsewhere, to e.g. use a much cheaper internet-based glasses shop. But apparently the PD is not part of the prescription. When I asked for the measurement, because I want to get some non-crappy non-employer glasses :p they refused.

Do you think it would be churlish/unreasonable to make a Data Protection Act request and demand the info. as it is my personal information?

I can _sort_ of understand their refusing to take the measurement for free, but they already took it to measure for the free glasses, so it is already on my file :mad: and I believe I should be entitled to my information.
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Comments

  • pimento
    pimento Posts: 6,243 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Take your own pupillary distance. I did mine with my sister's help. Put your glasses on and look straight forwards. Ask your helper to use a dry-wipe pen (like for use on white boards) to dot your glasses where your pupils are.

    This gave me a perfect measurement and I then ordered my cheap glasses online.
    "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." -- Red Adair
  • Sagz_2
    Sagz_2 Posts: 6,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Well you could go down the data protection act route... or save some trouble and use the DIY method
    Some days you're the dog..... most days you're the tree! :D
  • blargwork
    blargwork Posts: 11 Forumite
    I am a bit obsessive and I doubt I would be able to trust the DIY method :(
  • newleaf
    newleaf Posts: 3,132 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker PPI Party Pooper
    You can also send off an old pair of specs, with your prescription, to whoever you are buying your new non crappy, non employer ones from, and they can work it out for themselves.
    I had the same row myself in Dolland & Aitchison last year and didn't get anywhere with them.
    Official DFW Nerd No 096 - Proud to have dealt with my debt!
  • Paul_Varjak
    Paul_Varjak Posts: 4,627 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    If you go elsewhere for your glasses they will measure your pupillary distance (unless you are buying from the internet of course)
  • System
    System Posts: 178,311 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Does the pupillary distance actually form part of the prescription?
    I am aware that it is needed for spectacles but have never seen it as part of the prescription itself. It is normally only ever measured when being fitted for specs.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Amanita_2
    Amanita_2 Posts: 1,299 Forumite
    If you can read upside down it's quite easy!

    I took my new glasses back to the optician to have the fit adjusted and could read the pupillary distances from my record card that they had out to check the prescription. ;)
  • mrstrw
    mrstrw Posts: 38 Forumite
    It's not part of the prescription, it's used for making the lenses and tells the person making them where to centre the lense (they are not flat) if you get it wrong you could be wasting your money and end up with sore eyes, headaches etc.
  • letsbehonest
    letsbehonest Posts: 1,098 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Some opticians will leave the PD figure off of the prescriptions because they want you to buy the glasses from them, they should not refuse to give you this figure if you ask for it,I had a similar request begrudgingly given to me by D&A on my last eye test with them, (and it will be the last)
    "Imagination is more Important than knowledge"
  • epatolles
    epatolles Posts: 192 Forumite
    why don't you get their free glasses and send them off to get your new ones?! it seems strange they won't let you have it I know lots of people who do this and get nice designer specs online etc
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