
Legally, yes — you can take your glasses prescription to any optician you choose. But the better question is: should you? And what really happens when you split your eye care between one optician who examines your eyes and another who makes your glasses?
At Jacksons Styling Opticians in Nantwich, we see this scenario every week — and while it’s completely legal, it doesn’t always lead to the best visual outcome or experience for the patient. In fact, it can introduce avoidable problems, delays and frustration.
This article explains what you need to know before taking your prescription elsewhere, and why many people choose to keep their care with one trusted optician from eye exam to finished eyewear.
Yes, you can take your prescription elsewhere —
But there are risks
After an eye examination, your optometrist is required by law to give you a copy of your prescription. You are free to buy glasses anywhere you choose.
However, research consistently shows that most people get their glasses from the same practice that tested their eyes. Not because they’re encouraged to — but because it generally leads to a better result.
The reason is simple:
Your prescription alone isn’t the full story.
There is far more to accurate, comfortable vision than a few numbers on a piece of paper.
Why it matters who makes your glasses
When we carry out an eye examination at Jacksons, we spend time getting to understand more than just your eyesight — we look at:
- How you use your vision day to day
- Your work setup (screens, reading, digital devices)
- Your posture and head position
- Your eye dominance and visual behaviour
- How sensitive you are to light, glare or eye strain
- Your preferences, style and facial measurements
- Your visual priorities — comfort, distance, reading, driving or detail
That understanding helps us make clinical decisions that go beyond the printed prescription — and those decisions must carry through to the lens design, measurements and final fitting. When you take your prescription elsewhere, that continuity is lost.
What can go wrong when you split your care
If you have your eye test in one practice and your lenses made somewhere else, you may find yourself stuck in the middle if something doesn’t feel right.
Common issues include:
❌ Headaches or eye strain
❌ Difficulty with computer use
❌ Blurry or distorted vision when moving your head
❌ Problems adapting to varifocals
❌ Poor fit or incorrect lens measurements
❌ Lenses not matched to your lifestyle needs
And then comes the awkward part — who do you go back to?
The optometrist says, “The prescription is fine; must be the lenses.”
The dispensing optician says, “We made them to the numbers you gave us.”
You’re left in a frustrating loop — no clarity, no accountability, and no resolution.
Why continuity of care matters
When the same optician tests your eyes and provides your glasses, everything works together:
With split care | With joined care – the Jacksons approach |
---|---|
Risk of miscommunication | Smooth clinical handover |
No continuity | One accountable team |
No personalisation | Tailored lens + frame accuracy |
More hassle | Easier, faster solutions |
You chase problems | We’re responsible for the result |
Do we accept outside prescriptions at Jacksons?
Yes — we do. If you bring a prescription from another optician, we’re happy to help. But before we make your lenses, we will:
✅ Double-check the prescription accuracy
✅ Ask visual lifestyle questions to refine lens choice
✅ Ensure lenses are fitted precisely to your visual behaviour
✅ Recommend the best option — not a generic one
✅ Take responsibility for the finished result
Because if your vision isn’t comfortable, we’re the ones you’ll come back to — so we make sure it’s right from the start.
Why people choose Jacksons instead
People come to us because they want more than just glasses. They want:
✨ Precision lenses tailored to how they use their eyes
✨ Honest, expert advice
✨ A beautifully fitted frame that truly suits their face
✨ Comfort all day — not compromises
✨ A team who actually take responsibility for the result
And for many, that starts with our Eyewear Styling Consultation — a relaxed, personal appointment where we help you discover eyewear that fits your face, your style and your life.
Final thought — Can you? Yes.
Should you? Think carefully.
Your glasses aren’t just a product — they’re a medical device, a daily essential, and a personal style statement. When your eye care and eyewear are handled under one roof, things simply work better.
If you value:
✅ Accuracy
✅ Comfort
✅ Style
✅ Accountability
✅ And long-term eye health…
…then keeping your care together is almost always the smarter choice.
✅ Book a personalised eyewear advice appointment
Whether you’re bringing a prescription from elsewhere or you’d like a full eye examination with us, we’d be happy to help.