Why can't I continue to wear my 'old' prescription lenses if that's what I choose??

Tao81

Having accidentally chipped one of the lenses in my glasses I went back to Boots, where I originally bought them and asked for the damaged lense to be replaced. I was advised to have an eye test which I did, as it was just over 2yrs since my last test.
After this tests was told my eyesight had changed only slightly but that now varifocal lenses would be the best option for me at a cost of >£300 :eek:

Don't want varifocals and it's not practical for me to use two separate pairs of glasses within my job due to the nature of my work (not desk based or static role).

Boots are saying that now I have a new prescription they cannot legally replace my lense in my glasses with the previous prescription, they must use the new prescription!

Have explained how I am happy with and wish to continue with my 'current' prescription and the reasons why I am declining having varifocals or 2 pairs - They say they can't legally give me what I am requesting!!
In hindsight, I wish I'd refused the eye test at that time and simply gone for a lense replacement :mad:.

Is there any way around this lunacy? Afterall, been told many times my new prescription is only marginally different from what I am currently wearing, so I'm not exactly putting my eye health at any huge risk??

*Louise*

Can't you just get your prescription from them and order yourself some glasses online? I have heard many people using places like glassesdirect (just an example) and getting decent glasses for under £50

hcb42

Go somewhere else....and just ask for the glass to be replaced...

I think they are acting responsibly, so I dont blame them for their stance

Tao81

No I agree they are behaving responsibly, but there are extenuating circumstances why I am asking to stay with my current prescription, so I can't see why they can't work with me on this?

I would go elsewhere and ask but because the other prescription is now 2 and a half years old, wouldn't online opticians take the same stance and say I have to have another eye test?!!

The worry is, I don't get on with varifocals, I can't use two separate pairs within my job, just not possible and I can't work without glasses?!! So I'm feeling slightly backed into a corner which is frustrating seeing as the glasses I am wearing at the moment do the job fine for me?!!

CH27

I think they are in the right.
If they gave you incorrect glasses it could damage your sight further.

I don't understand why you don't want to wear what is best for your eyes, be it varicfocals or 2 pairs.

whitewing

glassesdirect are good. And good value.

I believe everywhere will want a prescription less than 2 years old. Certainly glassesdirect will ask that.

jetta_wales

Then say ok I'll have two pairs but can't afford to buy both at the same time and buy the distance glasses first then don't return to buy the other pair.

martinthebandit

whitewing wrote: »

glassesdirect are good. And good value.

I believe everywhere will want a prescription less than 2 years old. Certainly glassesdirect will ask that.

another vote for glassessdirect, I have used them for a few years now and am happy to recommend them.

Tao81

Varifocals are not an option as I have tried but don't get on with them.

If they tweak my distance vision a little as they are preposing with the new prescription, this then makes it impossible for me to focus up close whilst wearing glasses, because this slight change for distance viewing is the cause of putting the near vision out of focus.

I can see perfectly well at a distance with my 'old' glasses and the optician has told me that the change is only very small, but that this small change a this end of the spectrum is what throws up the cause of not being able to focus up close?!!! Hence, my dilemma.

I'm simply asking they to leave my distance vision alone, I can see perfectly well with the previous prescription, so surely under the circumstances they should be able to work with me on this?

What's amazed me is they are prepared to correct my vision in either eye to suit my needs via contact lenses and seem be willing to give me whatever works best, so why can't they do this with glasses lenses??

mumoftwo

I took my varifocals back as I hated them and they made me dizzy. Specsavers was happy to just give me single lens glasses and refund me the difference. I have a slight reading prescription though, I can still manage without reading glasses but they never said I had to have them, I have two pair single lens glasses for distance.

They said next time, if I need reading glasses, I could get two, or go for contact lenses for distance and reading glasses on top. Or they have contact lenses now that one eye is for distance and one eye is for reading, which I think is strange but they said that your brain sorts it out somehow.

Kitten_Pie

The best thing to do would be to speak to the optician who gave you the prescription and explain to them your issues. They are the only ones who can change what you have been given, they may ask you to sign something saying that they advised otherwise to cover themselves however staff working in the opticians are not legally able to make any changes to what the prescription says.

Online opticians will also act under the same rules they will ask for a prescription dated within the last two years. Anything outside two years is no longer valid.

Hope that has helped a little.