Your prescription must be no more than 2 years old. Regardless of whether you have paid for your prescription or not, on completion of your eye test, the Optician is, by Law, obliged to hand you a copy/duplicate of your prescription – It is your property, for your reference and safe keeping. (This applies whether you pay for your eye test privately, are over 60 or in receipt of benefits, were the Optician claims back the cost back from the NHS).

 

Even though they are breaking the law, some Opticians are reluctant to voluntarily hand you your prescription, (which might make you feel slightly awkward about not purchasing your spectacles from them) but you are within your rights to just ask for it. Don't feel guilty about not buying your spectacles there, when you consider the incredible profit margins high street Opticians have made for years and that the person testing your eyes is earning somewhere in the region of £300 per day!