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Thread: Would this be malpractice?

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    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Would this be malpractice?

    Okay, I don't know whether this belongs here or the dollar den but I need some advice.

    I went to the Optometrist back in June of last year. I went where my insurance would pay for me to go at that time. I have pretty bad vision with an astigmatism. I got a prescription for contacts. They ordered the contacts and I picked them up there. They are about 30 miles south of me and they were the closest place I could find under my insurance. The contacts where a 6 month supply.

    December is time to reorder. I call a week in advance of my running out. I want to have the script faxed to Target optical which is closer to my home. Two days later, no response, I call back, they have lost my script and offer no alternative. I get pretty upset. I have a friend deal with it. My friend says they should give me a free exam if they can't find my script so I can get my contact lenses. I agreed. He called them and didn't get very far until he threatened to call the Optometry board. They pop this script out and fax it Target Optical. Target orders the script as it's wrote but their own brand of lenses(Target) which will save me money. The lenses came in and I have worn them a week in a half because I figure it takes time to adjust to them. The lenses have been all over my eyeballs, popping up and down and I notice I can't see as well. I noticed I happen to have one contact left from my first order back in June (Acuvue lenses) and the boxes they came in. I notice the script is different on my new lenses. I put the Acuvue lense in one eye and the Target lense in the other eye. I can see really good like before with the orginal lense I ordered and not so good with the newer one. The scripts are not matching either but brands can be different so I go back up there today. The service rep ordered exactly what the prescription called for. I get a copy of the script. Him and I are looking at it and the orginal was for 5.50. They marked over it with 5.00. They also changed something else, the B.C. from 8.6 to 8.7. He and I agreed it was pretty messed up what they did. I have an exam scheduled at Target tommorrow so I can get what I need.

    Should I report this? What can I do about it? Is this some sort of malpractice? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    What a pain in the ass! I'm sorry you had to go through that, I would be so frustrated!

    I dunno if it would be considered malpractice but it sure as hell ain't right. I'd talk to the board of optometry as well as your insurance provider.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    It's not malpractice. It's definitely dishonest and I would take pictures of those boxes (and save them) a copy of the script...have your friend write what he did and what happened....and then report that company both to the insurance company (not like they really care) and also to the optometry board.

    They probably did what they did because they wanted you to come back to them. They probably thought you would drive all the way down there, they could charge your insurance for a follow-up exam, and sell you the contacts again. Having to fax the script to Target makes them lose money.

    I would also write a letter of complaint to the place that you went to originally and cc that to the optometry board, as well. If it gets really bad...you could always tip off the local newspaper.

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    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    Yeah, it didn't causes me any long-term problems but thinking of what could of happened sort of scares me. I'm glad I'm not a surgeon or anything like that. But I do study hair which requires a fine eye. I also hope they aren't doing this to other patients they are less than happy with.

    I am going to file a formal complaint to the optometry board. My files will be subpoenaed and investigated. They will receive some sort of warning or probation period if they are found guilty.

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    Veteran Member TheLioness's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    Good for you for reporting them. It definitely sounds like they only have their best interests in mind. Wanting you to come back down there is one thing but messing with your prescription to get you down there is a whole other ballgame. I was talking to my doc a couple months ago and she said that the economy is affecting them as well and they're having to do whatever they can to keep patients coming in.

    On another note...didn't they just recently come out with contacts for astigmatism? I would think the reason the lense is moving all around is because astigmatism actually causes your eye to slightly move back & forth (kinda like vibrating lol) which makes it hard for contacts to stay in place. I know they're expensive but I'd try to stick to name brands for now until they have been out for longer and the generics quality catches up.

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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    ^^^ yes, my right eye has a slight astigmatism so my contacts for that eye are more expensive... gotta say, I switched to the Bausch&Lomb Pure Vision (1 month disposable) and I freakin' love 'em!!! They're super breathable and, according to my optomitrist, the most healthy contact lenses for your eyes. It took me about a week to get used to them but they're so comfy and my eyes don't get tired or itchy anymore. They seem to fit me better, too. I'm a complusive eye rubber, I notice that the Pure Visions don't fold up on me and "get lost" in my eyes when I'm rubbing away.

    They're only about $30 more a year than the generic lenses I was using and the generics didn't address my astigmatism at all. The bummer is since a box per eye lasts 6 months, paying $115 upfront for contacts gives my wallet a little bit of a beating.

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    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    I went in to Target's doc today for an exam. He said my vision with the contacts I had in was 20/50. He said I had some edema so he put just some regular lenses in until the swelling goes down. I am 20/30 now. He said as the swelling goes down the astigmastism will be more obvious. I am going back in for a recheck on Saturday and they will correct my vision further then if need be.

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    God/dess greenidlady1's Avatar
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    Default Re: Would this be malpractice?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mia M View Post
    ^^^ yes, my right eye has a slight astigmatism so my contacts for that eye are more expensive... gotta say, I switched to the Bausch&Lomb Pure Vision (1 month disposable) and I freakin' love 'em!!! They're super breathable and, according to my optomitrist, the most healthy contact lenses for your eyes. It took me about a week to get used to them but they're so comfy and my eyes don't get tired or itchy anymore. They seem to fit me better, too. I'm a complusive eye rubber, I notice that the Pure Visions don't fold up on me and "get lost" in my eyes when I'm rubbing away.

    They're only about $30 more a year than the generic lenses I was using and the generics didn't address my astigmatism at all. The bummer is since a box per eye lasts 6 months, paying $115 upfront for contacts gives my wallet a little bit of a beating.
    You know vision means so much when you are a hairstylist or studying to be one. I think if I make enough money I will get the lasik surgery.

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