A cheaper way to get glasses and contacts online could be blocked by Kentucky optometrists

[TexasTowelie]

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Morehead State University student Chandra Burnett, 23, a longtime user of contact lenses, said it gets old going every year to the eye doctor and paying around $90 to have her prescription renewed, as required by Kentucky law.

"It's only good for a year," she said. "My prescription hasn't changed for three years."

Burnett, who orders her contact lenses online, said she would love to also get her prescription renewed online for as little as $20 through a relatively new but expanding business that allows people to get such renewals from a licensed eye doctor.

But Kentucky's politically powerful optometrists — also generous political donors — are fighting to stop the practice of such online prescription renewals with a bill they say is meant to protect patients.

House Bill 191 "is truly a consumer protection act," said Dr. Ben Gaddie, a Louisville optometrist and representative of the Kentucky Optometric Association, as he testified last week before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

Read more: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/12/cheap-eyeglasses-kentucky-optometrists-legislation/407593002/

[Timewas]

1. Zenni Optical

If you have a prescription... great prices, lots of choices

[Runningdawg]

2. Here in Oklahoma we have had that law forever

It's around $125 for an exam. Add an extra $50 if you want contacts. Now you can take the eyeglass Rx over to a store and buy glasses for one year. If you want to take your contact Rx with you - that will be @ $300. The only place you can purchase contacts in OK is from an eye Dr. They want to keep it that way to keep the price up.
I've worked for EyeMart, they are a reputable company but they are bound by the state laws. It used to be they would re-use a frame if it was in good condition. Then only if they sold it to you, then only if they sold it to you in the last year, then only once, now never. The whole thing is a GIANT scam, much like our funeral industry.
I haven't worn contacts in years and my Rx hasn't changed the last 5 times I have visited the Dr. However when I did wear contacts I took the opportunity when visiting friends in IL and NY to have an eye exam there so I could afford to shop online.