When a patient feels their glasses prescription is incorrect, what is the first step you should follow?

When a patient expresses that their glasses prescription feels incorrect, the first appropriate step is to pull the patient’s chart and troubleshoot the fit and vision with an optician. This approach is essential because it allows for a thorough review of the patient's previous prescriptions, any changes in their vision, and current eyewear fit.

By consulting with an optician, who can provide expertise in eyewear adjustments and ensure that the glasses are made according to the correct specifications, it sets the foundation for identifying the real issue. It can help determine whether the problem lies in the prescription itself, the fitting of the glasses, or potentially other factors affecting the patient's vision.

Conducting additional vision tests might be necessary later on, but troubleshooting with the optician first is vital to understand the context and any adjustments that may have occurred since the last examination. This method allows for a comprehensive understanding of the problem before escalating the situation to the doctor. If necessary, and after these steps, the doctor can then be brought in to address any further complications or reevaluate the prescription.