One month of not seeing correctly and counting. Need advice. Here's a rundown:
May: bought new lenses and rimless frames - first time with rimless, from an Optician from an Eye Glass Store. The Optometrist #1 in a back room there prescribed me.
Early Sept.: migraine, then a week later headaches while using computer and reading (on a MAC computer 8 hrs a day at work M-F).
Go back to Optometrist #1 from May, she says I need reading glasses. Reading glasses don't work, Optometrist doesn't return phone calls. So I go to a new Optometrist #2 - completely different Optometrist office, not an eye glass store. He says my prescription is wrong. Really like him, think he is great and know what he's doing.
I have to argue with Optician at Eye Glass Store to replace lenses for free. She does. Still had problems on computer and glare for night driving - new Optometrist #2 recommends anti-glare coating, which Optician initially told me not to get because it doesn't work well with transition lenses.
Get Crizal Alize (top of the line) anti-glare coating - Optician tries to sell for 40% more than 2 other places; I have to argue to match price.
Have to wait 4 days for new lenses. Get back this Tuesday and still having problems on computer. Take to Technician in Optometrist #2's office and she says there is a high luster polish on the rimless lenses that are causing the weird glare I'm still experiencing.
So now I feel this Optician where I bought my glasses is completely incompetent. I've had two other Opticians tell me the frames are not right for my face and one told me my prescription (-3.50, -3.25 with astigmatism) is really too big for rimless.
I just want a refund from the Optician for my frames and lenses, I now have about $700 invested in these glasses that still don't work for me.
I believe the Optician is breaking 'Business and Professional Code sections 654 and 655' shown here: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/allied/rdo_program_questions.html
"Can an RDO, SLD or CLD be affiliated with a doctor or optometrist?
No, according to Business and Professions Code sections 654 and 655, a doctor or optometrist cannot have any membership, proprietary interest, co-ownership, landlord-tenant relationship or any profit-sharing arrangement, directly or indirectly, in any form with an RDO, SLD or CLD."
I interpret this as saying the Optician is breaking the law/code by having Optometrist #1 in her office, no matter what their business relationship is. I think Optometrist #1 is paying rent due to a comment I heard while I was there. I also found out that the Optician's Store "Registered Dispensing License' has been 'Delinquent' since 2008, however the Optician's 'Registered Spectacle Lens Dispenser' license is current.
Last night I looked at frames in Optometrist #2's office, but they are really expensive, like $400 - $650. Two I liked were brands Landon and Lyle, for $480, except I can't find any info on those brands. This is about $250 over my budget for frames, but they really don't have too many decent frames in my price range. However I really trust this doctor and the technician there selling glasses seems to really know her stuff and how to fit me with the correct frames. This office will replace lenses for free if they don't work, and I think will exchange frames too if I don't like them. So that is important to me.
Questions:
1) Based on the code and delinquent license (i.e. am I interpreting correctly?), and what I would call her incompetence at this point, do you think I have enough to threaten the Optician who sold me my glasses to give me a refund? Because I know she won't want to, but I no longer want to deal with her.
2) Have you heard of the brands Landon or Lyle? Do they make good glasses?
3) Due to the fact that I really like Optometrist #2 and his technician, should I definitely buy frames from him so I can basically make it a one-stop shopping deal, so that if I have any problems, he'll basically take care of me - as opposed to taking his prescription elsewhere for less expensive frames, but possibly get into the same nightmare as I'm in with my current Optician?