A couple of years ago I visited Pearle Vision with the intention of buying a pair of glasses. While there, I underwent an eye exam and then proceeded to purchase a pair of designer frames with lenses. During the fitting, I underwent all the required measurements to insure that my eyeglasses fit properly, including a pupillary measurement (distance from one pupil to the other.) Sadly, I never used the glasses much as I was constantly taking them off as I only needed them when reading things far away (for example, I might be working on my laptop and im fine reading what's on my screen, but if I want to read the program listings on my TV, I had to put my glasses on - but then remove them if I went back to working on my computer).
Fast forward two years later and I visit the location again to get an eye exam so that I can get progressive lenses. They tell me the ophthalmologist can't see me for at least six weeks so I go elsewhere for the eye exam and then return to get my glasses. At Pearle, progressive lenses start at $450 (online you can get progressive lenses with all the upgrades for $200 - try LensDirect.com or Lensabl). My new insurance doesn't cover progressive lenses, only bifocal or single vision glasses so I choose to get a pair fully covered by my insurance. This marked my second pair of frames and lenses from Pearle within a few years.
I decided to keep my old frames and send them to an online retailer for a set of progressive lenses at $200 rather than paying $450+ at Pearle. However, in order for them to fit right, I need to get my pupillary measurement which is part of my medical records. Pearle refused to provide it to me as they claim it is a store measurement and not something I am entitled to - I could understand not giving it to someone just walking in off the street with no intention of buying a pair of glasses there yet I had purchased two complete pair of glasses plus an eye exam from Pearle.
I think it's a scumbag move and I will never patronize Pearle Vision ever again. read more