Eyeglass prescription expiration?

[Jess from VA]

This was a new one for me.

Sir, your script with us is 5 1/2 years old, and we cannot provide you with any new glasses on that script as a matter of VA state law.

Say what?

I didn't need glasses (single distance vision) until undergrad, and bifocals until my 50s.  Both times, it just very gradually snuck up on me.  And my scripts have always been pretty mild (no coke bottle lenses) and changed in small increments (like one click on the machine), years apart.  Many times over the years, I'd beat up my glasses to the point of replacement, and just go in with my last script (from years earlier) and get new ones, and they were always fine (if not perfect).  My astigmatism is the worst part of my necessary correction.

I'm pretty sure I could pass the DMV driver's eye test with my scripts from 20 or more years ago.  I've never failed one on old scripts in the past.  

I understand the desire to maintain visual health, but injury and disease aside, this sounds more like the good work of the eyeglass and optometry business lobby than public health.  I could be wrong.

So, needing to replace my beat up specs, I got my eyes tested yesterday (by a very good, long practicing optometrist), and yeah my script had changed just a little (left more than right), but no injury or disease or other problem noted.  My corrected vision on my old script is crystal clear with no complaints at all.  But my new specs will of course be with the new script.

I decided to move away from my usual wire pilot's style frames to wrap around plastic because I found some that fit perfectly, and they are certainly stronger (and cheaper) than wires.

My 2 pair of long serving single distance vision dark (polarized) shades (mostly for driving and riding), are probably 20 years old (with 20yr old scripts), and I see fine with them.  But I decided to stop being such a cheap bastard and get a new pair of those too.  And like everything else the prices are way (way) up.

I still have 3 pair of 1980's USAF BCD (birth control device), Buddy Holley big black frame clear single vision glasses that were free, and like new as I've never worn them (except to laugh in the mirror).  I tried them on again yesterday, and while not perfect, I could easily drive and get around on them today.  

The five year old broken (one leg) clear single vision I use to watch TV from the recliner (looking out the bottom of the lenses) are repaired with a small red zip tie.  I was too cheap to replace those.  

I never wanted to get (risk) lasik eye surgery or contact lenses (screw that!!).

On-line research showed that 4 states excepted (Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and West Virginia) the whole country has either a 1 or 2 year script expiration (FL is 5) now.  Who knew?

[F6Dave]

I just order mine online from Zenni. You enter your prescription and they send you glasses.

[Serk]

I just order mine online from Zenni. You enter your prescription and they send you glasses.

This is the post I was composing in my head after reading the first two sentences of Jess' post...

Go with Zenni... Cheap. So cheap you can get spare pairs and if you lose one, oh shucky darn...

[Jess from VA]

Typically, I never heard of Zenni before.

I wonder where they do business from, and how they avoid the various state laws?

[Serk]

Typically, I never heard of Zenni before.

I wonder where they do business from, and how they avoid the various state laws?

The company is US based, but the optical lab is in China. The orders go in, they make the glasses in Danyang China, ship them in large batches to a US distribution center where the individual orders are sent to customers.

Don't like shifting business to China, but no actual Rx required, just type in what you want, they'll make it and sell it to you...

(Ironic that a communist country is more free-market capitalist than our own, ain't it?)

[F6Dave]

My shipments originate in California, so that may be the distribution center.

As for the prescription, you enter it on their website, and I'm pretty sure you include a date. But they have no way to verify it, so you can enter whatever date you want and they'll build your glasses.

[csj]

I take my prescription to, and buy my frames from Costco. They send both to their lab in montreal.

I get the finished item back in four days. If I rough up, or bust that pair, they replace it free.

Best prices I can find in this area.

[Jess from VA]

Thanks guys, good to know.  (It would probably be a good idea to always enter a recent date of last exam.)

I'd been having a couple small issues with my eyes, so the exam was a good idea.  Nothing found, all normal (for an old fart).

An optometrist is not an ophthalmologist (MD), but they still have 4yrs undergrad and 4yrs optometrist school.   My guy was long serving, very thorough, and double checked often.  And it helped that there was no one waiting to be seen.

When they start flipping lenses on the machine, I always have a hard time deciding which is better once it's close.  (no squinting)

One, or Two?

Again please, slower.  

Sometimes 4-5 times. 

[old2soon]

    Well when I had that lens transplant dine on both eyes-THANK YOU V A-I found out that since it had been more than 5 years since my last eye exam I had to start over as a new old patient. STILL tryin ta figure that out!  But where I had the lens transplants done those folks desire to see me 2 or 3 times a year and being as The V A STILL pickin up the tab WHT NOT? I pay outa my own pocket-the social  insecurity check the gubmint sends me which of course "they" really no longer wanna give but I am able to afford the new specs when needed. And since the transplants my prescription changes just slightly now and much weaker script than it was before the surgery! Got relicensed feb this year just before my Birthday so it's all good!  RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

I've been wearing glasses for nearsightedness since age 11 (now 63), started with bifocals at 45, and wife and me both do annual eye exams since we're both Type 2 Diabetic. In fact, our appointments were supposed to be this morning, but the Dr. called out, so the appointments have changed to March 19.

At our age we do have the first signs of cataracts. Once you correct my vision with glasses, I'm almost like that Song by Taylor Dane  "I wear my sunglasses at night..." - Bright light REALLY bothers me. And yes - I think they flip the lenses too fast also.

For most of my glasses scripts, it's been done through an optometrist, but cataract surgery must be done by an opthalmologist, preferably one with plenty of experiance. I too have been very leery of lasik  / other eye surgery, and I tried contacts right before I left active duty (hated them - felt like a big dust speck on my eyes).

[Jess from VA]

I think I'd rather run through a hail of bullets than voluntarily lay down for eye surgery.

[old2soon]

I've been wearing glasses for nearsightedness since age 11 (now 63), started with bifocals at 45, and wife and me both do annual eye exams since we're both Type 2 Diabetic. In fact, our appointments were supposed to be this morning, but the Dr. called out, so the appointments have changed to March 19.

At our age we do have the first signs of cataracts. Once you correct my vision with glasses, I'm almost like that Song by Taylor Dane  "I wear my sunglasses at night..." - Bright light REALLY bothers me. And yes - I think they flip the lenses too fast also.

For most of my glasses scripts, it's been done through an optometrist, but cataract surgery must be done by an opthalmologist, preferably one with plenty of experiance. I too have been very leery of lasik  / other eye surgery, and I tried contacts right before I left active duty (hated them - felt like a big dust speck on my eyes).

    You too Jess. I had that cataract surgery lens implant(s) done L eye  on 6 15 21 R eye on 6 29 21 and had I But KNOWN how much better my vision would become I would've done it lots SOONER! Count me as a convert and a happy camper. NO/NONE/NADA pain involved pre or post surgery. I walked out under my own power and wore a screen patch over the eye operated on for 3 or 4 days! And when I looked at the difference when the 1st eye was done to the one that wasn't well thre it was right in front of me! The cloud/fog was GONE and the colors were so danged vivid as to defy belief! And ++++++++++++ the targets at the range became MUCH CLEARER and easier to punch center mass!  So Again YES happy I got er done!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

Dennis, I've heard (and read) much the same as your experience with eye surgery many times.

Our fears aren't always rational. 

If I needed it badly, I wouldn't like it, but I'd get it. 

Quite similar to root canals (hate them, had a bunch of them).   

[old2soon]

Dennis, I've heard (and read) much the same as your experience with eye surgery many times.

Our fears aren't always rational. 

If I needed it badly, I wouldn't like it, but I'd get it. 

Quite similar to root canals (hate them, had a bunch of them).   

     Cataracts much like like a toothache will NEVER git better on their own. And I KNOW You KNOW
this! But I threw it out there as best I could relate it! YER WELCOME!  RIDE SAFE.

[h13man]

I use EyeGlass World for full service. This time around I need a street pair and single vision sunglasses. I purchase solid plastic full frame for exclusively for the sunglasses. 2 yr. time period for at least 15 yrs. here in Indiana.

[F6Dave]

Like others have said, the tech doing your exam can rush the process and if either of you isn't careful you can end up with a bad prescription.

That happened to me a few years ago. I've kept a spreadsheet of all my prescriptions since I started wearing glasses, and when I added the latest I noticed that the correction for my left eye jumped by half a diopter, even though the doc said my prescription had stabilized. I was hesitant to order glasses with those numbers, but did anyway. When they arrived sure enough, that left lens was noticeably over-corrected for distance. Since Zenni's prices are so low I just ordered another pair using my previous prescription, and used the over-corrected pair for reading and working on the computer or Valkyrie.

[da prez]

  VA takes care of my eye exams.  The Dr. there is a young woman (by my standards) , and is  V E R Y thorough. The last time in she asked me if I could return in two days to repeat a test. She did not like some of the results.  Retest was negative. She is a very caring Doctor. I hope she will stay at VA for the rest of my time.
  I am one of those Vets with no complete records of service.  They were either lost in the St. Louis fire or the Chicago flood. I have tried several times to get copies. My VA card says Service connected Dis-ability.
  VA also provides all my eye and medical meds.    Do not ask my mos. I would have to have you removed!

                                                 da prez