Prescriptions

• If I take the eye test, am I guaranteed a prescription?

  No. Prescriptions are given at the sole discretion of the eyeTest.com board-certified ophthalmologist who reviews your test. Some patients may not be eligible to receive a prescription for variety reasons. Please read section 2 of our FAQs, "Taking At-Home Eye Test" for full details.

• I had a prescription but I lost it. Can you help?

  Can't find your old script? No problemo. Give eyeTest.com the name of your prescribing doctor (or the name of his or her practice) and we'll call on your behalf to verify the prescription with your doctor. (You're welcome.)

• Who do I contact if I have follow-up questions about my prescription?

  Our Patient Support Team is always ready to help. Email us at service@eyeTest.com and someone will get back to you in a jiffy.

• What’s my recourse if I don’t like my prescription?

  If you're not 100 percent satisfied after taking the test, eyeTest.com will make it right by re-checking your eyes for free. If you already bought glasses and/or contacts using your eyeTest.com prescription, we'll check your visual performance using those new glasses or contacts, and if tweaks need to be made because the prescription has changed (it happens), like the majority of other eyewear retailers, we'll re-make your lenses and switch out your contacts, too.

  If, however, eyeTest.com still can't meet your expectations, we'll refund the cost of your eyeTest.com test.

• How is my prescription reviewed? What’s the process?

  After you've finished your eye test, eyeTest.com sends your results to a board-certified Ophthalmologist or Optometrist located in the state where you took your test. (Note: The ophthalmologist will be part of eyeTest.com's partner network, Optimized Eye Care, and will be trained in telehealth.) The ophthalmologist will then thoroughly review your medical history, pre-existing conditions, prior prescription, and test results, before issuing your prescription.

  If anything was found to be wrong with your eyes that would make it impossible to issue a prescription, the ophthalmologist will issue secondary medical guidance.

• How do I find (and access) my prescription?

  After eyeTest.com's ophthalmologist issues you a prescription, you'll get an email saying it's ready along with a link to sign in to your eyeTest.com account where you'll be able to access the script.

  From there, you'll just follow the link in the email (or visit http://www.eyeTest.com/common/secure/login.asp) to log into eyeTest.com where you'll have the option to click "download" or "print." Once you have your prescription, you'll be able to use it wherever you want to buy your contacts or eyeglasses. (And did we mention you get to do all that from the comfort of your home? Yeah: You do.)

• Presbyopia and ADD Power: What do they mean?

  Presbyopia is a condition that tends to affect people as they age, and it's a fancy word for when it starts getting harder to focus on objects that are close to us. It happens because the eye's lens naturally stiffens with age and stops bending enough to bring close objects into focus.

  "ADD power" refers to what's used to correct the symptoms of presbyopia.

  How To Treat Presbyopia
  Fast, short-term fixes like using magnifiers or holding reading materials at an arm's length away may help bring nearby objects into focus for you but when they don't, here are some other more viable options:

  • Reading glasses. Readers are usually inexpensive and come in a variety of strengths, making them a favorite first-choice option for folks with presbyopia. Note that while reading glasses can help clear up your close-range sight, they'll do nothing to improve distance vision problems (if that's also an issue for you).
  • Bifocals and trifocal lenses. Lenses with more than one type of correction allow for correcting distance and close-up vision at the same time. Normally, close-up lenses are on the bottom while distance lenses occupy the most space of the lens up on top.
  • Lined. Lined lenses have distinctly separate areas for each lens power. Horizontal lines are visible on the lens where each lens correction starts and ends change. A caveat to this kind of lens is that Images may appear to jump out at you when you look through different lens parts.
  • Progressives. The opposite of lined glasses, progressives offer a seamless transition between each lens power. What you're looking at doesn't seem to jump out as much as your eye travels across the lens. A caveat to this lens type is that it’s often the most expensive.

  Pitfalls of Presbyopia

  • Higher costs. As you'd imagine, bifocals, multifocal and progressive lenses usually cost more than single-distance lenses. (And progressives are typically the most expensive.)
  • ​Bigger frames. The more surface area a frame offers, the more room each type of vision correction on a lens.
  • Adjustment time. Be aware that it takes 2-4 weeks to adjust to bifocal, multifocal and progressive lenses. Why? The eye and the brain need to learn how to play nice as they adjust to the lenses' different refractive powers. Patience is key.
  • Needing to practice. If you're switching to single-distance to multi-distance lenses, keep in mind that it will take time to find just the right spot to look through for both distance and close-up vision in the same lens. Not only might you change how you look at something in the distance or how you move your body, but you may also find yourself moving your entire head rather than just your eyes to see objects at different distances.
  • Even though all of this decision making is highly personal, our patient support team is at the ready to help If you need it. Call us anytime.

  How to Use Your Prescription

  Your eyeTest.com prescription-containing ADD power can be used anywhere for multifocal lenses. Simply choose the lens type that's right for you in addition to the ADD power that is outlined on your prescription.

  When purchasing over-the-counter reading glasses, be sure to pick a pair with magnification that matches the ADD power provided within your digital prescription.

• I need a prescription for both my distance and my up-close vision. Can I wear reading glasses with multifocal contacts?

  Many people wear readers over their contacts. It means having to carry around an extra pair of glasses, but it's do-able.

• How often should I renew my prescription?

  The general guideline is for a prescription to be renewed every year or two, depending on your state's regulations. Our service is not a replacement for an eye health exam, and our doctors recommend all patients between 22-55 years old receive an eye health exam at least once every two years.