Prescription Policy

At CapeVista Optics, accuracy and optical safety are our highest priorities. Because we are an online optical retailer, we rely heavily on the information you provide to manufacture your custom eyewear. This Prescription Policy governs the submission, verification, and processing of your optical prescription. By placing an order with us, you agree strictly to the terms laid out below.

1. The Customer's Responsibility

When you purchase prescription eyeglasses from CapeVista, you acknowledge and agree that you are solely responsible for providing a valid, accurate, and current optical prescription. You must correctly enter the values exactly as they appear on the physical or digital document provided by your eye care professional. This includes the Sphere (SPH), Cylinder (CYL), Axis, and Pupillary Distance (PD) for both the right (OD) and left (OS) eyes.

Entering incorrect data can lead to visual discomfort, headaches, eye strain, and general dissatisfaction with the product. We manufacture the lenses specifically to the parameters you input. Therefore, CapeVista cannot be held liable for any adverse effects or required remakes if the original data supplied by you was inaccurate.

2. Validity of the Prescription

In South Africa, optical prescriptions are generally considered valid for a specific period (often 12 to 24 months) from the date of the eye examination, as indicated by the dispensing optometrist. We strongly recommend that you do not use an expired prescription.

If your prescription is over two years old, your vision may have changed significantly. We encourage you to schedule a comprehensive eye examination with a registered South African optometrist before ordering. If you upload a prescription that is clearly marked as expired, we reserve the right to place your order on hold and request a renewed document.

3. The Requirement of Pupillary Distance (PD)

The Pupillary Distance (PD) is the measurement in millimeters between the centers of your pupils. It is an essential component of a complete prescription because it dictates where the optical center of the lenses will be positioned within the frames.

If your PD is incorrect, the lenses will not align with your visual axis, leading to optical distortion and physical discomfort. Many optometrists do not write the PD on the prescription by default. It is your right as a consumer to request this measurement. If you cannot provide a PD, we cannot accurately manufacture your glasses, and your order will be cancelled and refunded.

4. Verification and Review Process

While you are responsible for accurate data entry, CapeVista implements an administrative review process. We require you to upload a clear photograph or scanned PDF of your original prescription document during the checkout process or immediately thereafter.

Our optical support team will review the uploaded document against the data you entered manually. This process is strictly administrative and is designed to catch obvious typographical errors (e.g., confusing a "+" for a "-"). However, this administrative review does not constitute a medical evaluation, an eye test, or a professional dispensing service. If we spot a discrepancy, we will contact you via email to confirm the correct details before sending the order to the laboratory.

5. Prescription Limitations and Out-of-Range Orders

Certain frames are structurally unsuitable for very high prescriptions. Additionally, our laboratory has specific manufacturing limits based on the chosen lens material (index). If your prescription contains high Sphere values (e.g., above +/- 6.00) or high Cylinder values (e.g., above -2.00), it may fall outside the standard range.

In such cases, we reserve the right to cancel the order or suggest an alternative, higher-index (thinner) lens material, which may incur additional costs. We will always communicate these limitations to you transparently before proceeding.

6. Complex Prescriptions (Prisms and Progressives)

Through our online platform, we currently specialize in standard single vision lenses (for distance or reading). We do not accept prescriptions that require complex Prism corrections, nor do we manufacture multifocal or progressive lenses based on online orders.

If you upload a prescription containing a Prism value, we will unfortunately have to cancel and refund your order, as these complex dispensing requirements are best handled in person by a qualified optometrist.

7. Legal Disclaimer Regarding Medical Care

CapeVista is an online retail platform. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ordering glasses from us does not replace regular, comprehensive eye health examinations by a qualified professional. Conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy can only be detected through an in-person clinical exam.