does anybody know the answer to this. Well i have an old prescription and want to get a new pair of glasses and i can see just fine with this old prescription. They said i have to get a new prescription in order to buy new glasses because my old 1 is over a year old. So i got the re test done and there is only a minor change in my new prescription but i don't want this change in my new eye glasses because i am worried it is going to make my vision worse plus i don't want the lens to look thicker. My question is if the change is only minor could i still use my old prescription to get new glasses?

[This message has been edited by justanotherday (edited 06-09-2003).]

Originally posted by justanotherday:
does anybody know the answer to this. Well i have an old prescription and want to get a new pair of glasses and i can see just fine with this old prescription. They said i have to get a new prescription in order to buy new glasses because my old 1 is over a year old. So i got the re test done and there is only a minor change in my new prescription but i don't want this change in my new eye glasses because i am worried it is going to make my vision worse plus i don't want the lens to look thicker. My question is if the change is only minor could i still use my old prescription to get new glasses?



Technically speaking, the expiration date of the glasses prescription is at the discretion of the prescribing doctor. Most states, if not all states, *require* a prescription be valid for 1 year. But, again this is up to the prescribing doctor.

If you don't want the change in your new glasses, request to have your old glasses prescription with a new expiration date written for you. Explain to the doctor why you don't want the new prescription powers written for the glasses. He/she should do this for you with no questions asked.

However, if you are unhappy with your new glasses that are made with the old prescription powers, the optician may refuse to remake them at no cost. In such a case, you would have to pay to have any remakes done.

HTH

A doctor might be unwilling to give you a prescription that is not current and proper.

If there is only a slight change (i.e. a quarter of a diopter), then the glasses should not be noticably thicker, nor will it necessarily make your eyes get worse (they are already getting worse). If there is a change of a half-diopter or more, then you definitely need new glasses with a new prescription.

I might be totally out of my league here, but from what I gather, all you really want is a new set of frames. Right? Can't you just go into a glasses store and have them put the old lenses into new frames?

Or are your lenses scratched or in bad shape and you need new ones?