Contact lenses: what does this email mean?
I emailed my local optician saying:
I am writing to enquire about contact lenses and an appointment I recently made with you. I am considering buying contact lenses from http://www.contactlenses.co.uk/, however I require the Radius/Diameter and Power of each eye.
I would like to discuss with you which contact lenses would be the most suitable for me and all the things I need to know about contact lenses. I believe there is a price to pay for one of the tests, if you could please let me know the price I would appreciate it. I look forward to your reply.
His response
Thanks for your e-mail.
I am away from the practice as I write this, so I am not sure if you are booked in for an eye exam and a contact lens appointment or just a contact lens appointment. If you are not having an eye exam first, you will need to bring a recent spectacle prescription with you. If we are doing an eye exam first (£30 unless you qualify for an NHS test), don’t worry about that.
I do not normally charge for the initial contact lens consultation, which will be an opportunity to assess whether you are suitable and then recommend the best lens type for you.
However, I understand that you were considering buying your lenses online. I would not be able to give you a contact lens prescription after this consultation, as the fitting process is not complete at that point.
The normal procedure (in this instance) is to purchase a minimum of 3 months supply of lenses from the prescribing optician, including paying for the follow up consultations. Once you have been seen for the initial (free) consultation, there is normally a handling appointment, where you will be taught how to place and remove your lenses, and have instructions given on solutions (if not a daily disposable). There is normally a follow up assessment after about 10 days, at which time any modifications to the original fit can be made, and a further appointment 2 months later, at which the fitting process can usually be considered complete, and a specification issued. This way, if there are any problems with the initial fit, you can come back to me and I can sort it out. An online company will have no interest in taking back a partly used supply of lenses.
Contact lenses online look quite inexpensive because there are no professional fees included, which are paid to the prescribing optician. I charge £30 per appointment.
Most of my many contact lens clients are on a monthly direct debit scheme, which includes lens supply, free replacements for lost or damaged lenses, free exchanges if your prescription alters, and unlimited aftercare appointments ( I recommend most people are seen every 6 months), but I have others who prefer to pay per appointment and buy their lenses as they need them from our practice, or sometimes online. The aftercare is the same regardless of how the lens purchase is made.
So, can I buy my contact lenses from http://www.contactlenses.co.uk/ and get it sorted from him? Thanks.
No, I don’t think so, because of what he says in the third paragraph.
Most eye doctors have you wear the contact lens for a short period, then have you come in to see them for a re-check, to make sure the lenses are fitting properly and not damaging your eyes.
He’s saying that he doesn’t want to be held responsible for any subsequent problems you may have from buying the contact lenses from somewhere else, which I don’t think is unreasonable.
You’ll have to find someone else to write you a prescription (yes, you do need a prescription no matter where you get them.)
It does sound like he offers a good service, though. If he were in the states I might even buy from him!
I don’t know where Mannon saw that , but he doesn’t say he won’t be responsable if you buy elsewhere at all.
He is simply saying in the 4th paragraph , that you must buy the first 3 month supply from his office, then come come back for a recheck after 10 days, then again after 2 months. If all is well, he will write the prescription out at that time, then you can order where you want with it.