****mers

Good Day

Thank you for your response.

However, my concern has not been addressed. The issue is not about the drivers screening certificate itself. My concern is that a paid eye examination was conducted, yet we have not been provided with the written results of the examination or the prescription that was determined during the test.

As a consumer who paid for a professional eye examination, we are entitled to receive the results of what was tested, including the prescription and findings of the optometrist. These results form part of the service that was provided.

Furthermore, a consumer cannot be required to purchase spectacles from the same establishment in order to obtain their prescription or written examination results. Under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, consumers have the right to choose their supplier and cannot be forced into purchasing additional goods or services that were not agreed to beforehand.

Whether or not my brother chooses to purchase spectacles from your practice is entirely his choice. The prescription and examination results belong to the patient and he has the right to obtain them and decide where he would like to have his spectacles made.

I therefore respectfully request that you provide the written results of the eye examination and the prescription that was determined during the test.

If this matter cannot be resolved, I will have to escalate the matter to the relevant regulatory and consumer protection authorities.

In your message you indicated that my brother received a full comprehensive eye test at your branch. If a comprehensive eye examination was conducted, this means that clinical findings and a prescription would have been determined during the consultation. As this service was paid for, we are entitled to receive the results of the examination, including the findings and the prescription. 

 According to the ethical rules of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), patients have the right to access their medical records and the clinical results of examinations that have been performed. These records include the prescription determined during the eye test. 

 I also understand that my brother may not have passed the driver’s vision screening. However, this does not prevent the practice from providing the results of the eye examination or the prescription that was determined. Whether he requires spectacles or corrective lenses should be clearly indicated in the results, and he is entitled to receive that information. 

 In addition, the decision of where to have spectacles made is entirely the patient’s choice. Under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, consumers have the right to choose their supplier and cannot be required to purchase additional goods or services in order to receive the results of a service that has already been paid for. 

 My request therefore remains the same: please provide the written findings of the eye examination and the prescription that was determined during the consultation. 

 I trust this matter can be resolved promptly. If necessary, I will consider escalating the matter to the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the relevant consumer protection authorities for further guidance. 

Good Day

Thank you for your response and for confirming that the digital report will be sent.

However, I would like to clarify that my concern was never about being forced to purchase spectacles from your practice. The concern was simply about obtaining the results of the eye examination and confirmation of my brother’s eye condition after paying for the consultation.

I appreciate that the digital report will provide a detailed explanation of his eye condition, and we will review it once received.

With regard to the prescription fee that you mentioned, while I understand that practices may structure their pricing differently, patients are still entitled to access the results of examinations conducted on them. Whether my brother decides to obtain spectacles from your practice or elsewhere remains entirely his choice.

At this stage, we will wait to receive the digital report as you have indicated. Thank you for confirming that it will be sent.