I just had my optometrist refuse to provide me with my PD measurement.
He made up a few ridiculous reasons why:
1) it would make him liable for any glasses I buy online not fitting properly;
2) it is the responsibility of wherever I buy glasses to measure my PD; and
3) PD isn't just a set number, it needs to be adjusted for each pair of glasses as they all sit differently on your face.
#1 is more or less complete load of bull. I couldn't believe he had the balls to even mention it knowing his customer is a lawyer.
#2 makes a little more sense. However, I know he has my PD on file (as I have bought glasses from him in the past, before I discovered that glasses don't have to be $600).
#3 is, as near as I can tell, a lie. PD is simply the distance between your pupils. It doesn't change once your head stops growing.
Now, I understand why he is reluctant to provide the PD to people. It is about the only leverage he has to try to force customers to keep buying glasses from him (at $600) instead of online for $30. It is no different than dozens of other industries that have changed due to technology. The old guard tries to hold on as long as possible to their incredible profit margins.
However, my understanding stops when, after I politely request the information from my file, he refuses to provide it. I know it is in my file already, he doesn't have to perform a new PD test to give it to me. At that point, he is withholding my information from me.
How can he do this without being sanctioned by the College of Optometrists?
Follow-up question - Do you refuse to provide PD measurements?
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