Can I get glasses with an expired prescription?
Are you wondering if you can get glasses with an expired prescription or not? Simply put, you cannot purchase prescription glasses using an expired eye prescription. This is because our eyes change as we age and in turn, our prescription does too.
Even if you don’t think that your vision has changed, it’s important to regularly have your eyes tested to make sure that your eyes are healthy too. Many conditions are detectable by optometrists before you begin developing symptoms.
What Is a Valid Prescription?
To get glasses, you must have a valid spectacle prescription. A valid prescription requires the following information:
- Your name – This is to ensure that the prescription is in fact for yourself. Sometimes a prescription will also include additional information such as your date of birth or address.
- The optometrist or eye health professional’s information – This includes their name, address, and contact number.
- Test date and expiry date – This is so that anyone selling you glasses knows that your prescription is up to date.
You can obtain a valid spectacle prescription from your optometrist or eye health professional.
If your prescription is missing this information, then it is not valid and cannot be used to purchase glasses. It is not sufficient to simply provide the strength of your prescription. If you receive a prescription with missing information from your optometrist, then it is best to contact them.
How Often Should You Get a New Prescription for Glasses?
Typically, glasses prescriptions are valid for one to two years. However, the recall period varies depending on your vision and ocular health.
If your vision is changing rapidly or if you have an eye condition, then your optometrist may want to monitor your eyes more often.
Are Glasses and Contact Lens Prescriptions the Same?
Prescriptions for glasses are often different from contact lens prescriptions. This is because glasses sit away from your eyes (roughly 12mm or just short of half an inch), while contact lenses sit directly on your eye. This means that often the strength required to correct your vision is different between the two.
Contact lenses also require additional specifications that glasses prescriptions do not have. This includes details about the curve of the lens, its diameter, and the materials that the lens is made of.
How To Tell If Your Eye Prescription Has Changed?
While gradual vision changes are usually difficult to notice, some signs of vision changes include:
- Blurred vision
- Squinting to make your vision clearer
- Needing to move objects closer or further away to make them clear
- Double vision
- Headaches
- Difficulty focusing
- Dizziness
- Eye strain or tired eyes
If you experience any of these symptoms, then it is a good idea to get your eyes examined again – even if your prescription is still valid.
What Should I Do When I Need a New Prescription?
If you need a new prescription, then you should see an optometrist or eye health professional. During the examination, they will assess both your vision and eye health. By doing this, they can detect ocular conditions before you start experiencing symptoms.
You cannot get glasses without an up-to-date prescription. It is important to have regular eye examinations to ensure that your prescription is up to date and that your eyes are healthy. Having a valid prescription also means that you can be confident that your new glasses will give you the best possible vision.
