Find answers about Prescriptions and common questions & concerns of Go-Optic.com customers related to optical, vision, ordering information and more.
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A legible copy of a valid prescription may be provided for an existing order via the following methods:
File types accepted for upload/text/email: PDF, JPG/JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIF, BMP
Phone verification may slightly delay your order based on the response times from your doctor's office and may require a signature release from the patient. Provide their fax number for quicker service. Alternatively, ask the doctor's office to fax us a copy directly.
Eyeglass prescriptions generally expire in no less than 1-2 years and may vary by state.
All prescription orders are verified before processing. Prescription verifications are generally processed within one business day. However, phone verifications may add delay based on the availability of the doctor's office. A notification email will be sent to the customer once the prescription has been successfully verified or if any additional issues require the customer's attention.
Note: Once a prescription has been verified, it may be re-used on future orders without being provided again. In this situation, the customer selects the "you have my prescription" option when placing the order.Per FTC Guidelines, all eye doctors are required to give patients a copy of their eyeglass prescriptions after completing an eye exam.
A copy of an existing prescription may be obtained by contacting the prescribing eye doctor.
A new prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses may be obtained by a certified eye doctor or optometrist upon completing an eye exam.
A contact lens prescription cannot be used for prescription glasses (and vice-versa). A prescription for each type of device is required.
There are two types of ophthalmic prescriptions based on the type of medical device (Glasses or Contact Lenses) being ordered. All vision prescriptions generally offer the same type of vision correction. The following prescription types are accepted for prescription orders.
Note: OTC Readers do not require a verified eyeglass prescription.
A glasses prescription specifies the lens power needed to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The measurement units are typically diopters (D), and the prescription may also address presbyopia with an "add" value for reading glasses. The customer has the flexibility to choose their desired lens options and frame.
How to read an eyeglass prescription
A contact lens prescription, like a glasses prescription, specifies lens power but is tailored for contact lenses. It includes parameters such as base curve, diameter, and lens material to ensure proper fitting. The prescription may also address presbyopia with an "add" value for multifocal contacts. Unlike glasses, a contact lens prescription considers additional factors to optimize comfort and vision correction. Much like pharmaceutical medications, a particular brand and supply amount is prescribed.
How to read a contact lens prescription
A prescription offers corrections for various vision types and fields of vision. All vision correction types are currently supported:
| Vision type | Description | Rx Parameters |
|---|---|---|
| Single Vision | The most common standard prescription type is intended to correct only one field of vision: Distance, Intermediate, or Near. | Sphere Cylinder Axis |
| Multifocal | Progressive (PAL), Bifocal, or Trifocal prescriptions are the same as single-vision prescriptions but also include an ADD power for Intermediate and Near vision. | Sphere Cylinder Axis ADD |
| Readers Only | A valid prescription is not required for readers as they are made like the readers found in drug stores. | Reading Power |
| Plano | Plano or non-prescription lenses are generally intended for cosmetic or safety reasons and do not require a prescription. | N/A |
Turn any pair of prescription glasses into readers as if they were from the drugstore without requiring a valid prescription. To order readers without a valid prescription, when prompted to add your prescription, select the "Readers Only" option, and provide the reading strength during the lens order.
All advanced fields & parameters are supported and automatically applied to the order upon prescription verification to ensure accuracy. Any additional charges or fees require customer confirmation before fulfillment.
| Parameter Details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prism | The additional fee for the prism is $10 per diopter. Fraction diopters are billed as full diopters. | |
| Seg Height | A Seg Height may be provided in the prescription form when ordering bifocal or progressive lenses. The measurement must be provided for the same glasses model and size. Otherwise, the in-house formula is defaulted based on the frame size, which is accurate in most cases. | |
| OC Height | The OC (Optical Center) height is the measurement (in millimeters) from the bottom of the lens to the optical center or where the pupil sits. A custom OC (Optic Center) Height may be provided (in the comments section during checkout) for single-vision lens orders as long as the measurement is intended for the same glasses model and size. Otherwise, the in-house formula is defaulted based on the frame size. | |
| Base Curve | The base curve is the curvature of the lens. It is most commonly in 2 or 4 for optical frames and 6 or 8 for wrapped sunglasses. This measurement is usually determined by the prescription's strength and the frame's curve. | |
| High Powers | All prescription powers (up to +20.00) are supported. Additional costs may be required based on lens type and material. |
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| High Astigmatism | All astigmatism powers (up to +10.00) are supported. Additional charges may be necessary based on lens type and material. Aspheric lenses are available for high astigmatism powers. |
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| Partial Diopters | Diopters that are 1/8th or 0.12 step increments outside the normal quarter-steps of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75. | |
| Balanced | Balanced lenses are for wearers who are blind in one eye and wish to have the same lens thickness for both lenses. Balanced lenses are supported at no extra cost. | |
| Personalized Fit | Specific personalized lenses require additional parameters such as Vertex, Pantoscopic tilt, Dominant eye, Base front curvature, and compensated prescription translations taken by proprietary machines by the lens manufacturer (like Varilux® Visio™ and the ZEISS® iScription™). These details may be provided in the order's comments section or with the prescription. These measurements must be for the same frame being ordered. | |
A multifocal/bifocal prescription can be converted and be used for a Single Vision (distance or near) prescription lens order. The customer may provide whether the lens is to be made in a distance or near vision type in the comments section of their single vision lens order (during checkout).
Convert the multifocal prescription into a distance or near single vision prescription online by using the conversion tool.
Multifocal to Single Vision Conversion ToolContact our support department for further assistance. Customer service
