Location: Canada

Background: When I first started wearing glasses the optometrist would just give me a piece of paper that I could take to any shop to get my lenses made. Then they started refusing that paper and insisting I either leave my frames with them for two weeks, or that I buy new frames.

And now it seems like even asking for the script, or the measurements, is ‘against policy’.


I recently went in for an eye exam and some new glasses, and the optician said something I have never been told before.

I had asked if they could give me the prescription for my sunglass lenses since they don’t deal with the brand that I prefer, and he said that I would have to schedule another appointment at a shop that deals with that brand, because the prescription was not enough, and I would also need the measurements he took.

I asked if I could have those measurements and he said it was against policy.

Is he lying to try to get me to buy new frames from his shop? Or is there something to what he is saying?

Confession - When he walked away I took a picture of the measuring app he had used which seems to show all the measurements.

Would this be useful to another shop? I’m just trying to buy lenses without spending a fortune on yet another frame.

It all feels like a scam.

  • Bo7a@lemmy.caOP
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    4 months ago

    Thanks! I had thought the same.

    It all felt so forced and scummy. I am going to go back and demand all the information (politely)

    • pacmondo@sh.itjust.works
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      3 months ago

      Yeah, I’m currently in school for opticianry in Canada and both doctors and opticians are required to give you a written prescription that you can take elsewhere, and in most if not all provinces they have to put your PD on it too

    • bookcrawler@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Searching “optometrist complaint canada” seems to get the different licensing bodies. Reaching out to them would likely get some action.

    • Tippon@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      If you haven’t been back yet, it might be worth emailing them instead, and getting a response in writing