Prescription Policy

PRESCRIPTION POLICY

AM Alder Miller  •  aldermiller.com

Effective: January 1, 2027  •  Last Updated: January 1, 2027

 

Your Washington consumer health data privacy rights: aldermiller.com/pages/consumer-health-data-privacy-notice

This Prescription Policy applies to all prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses sold by AM Alder Miller (AM AlderMiller, LLC, "we," "us," or "our") through aldermiller.com. It explains what prescription we require, how to submit it, who reviews it, how it is protected, and what your rights are. By placing a prescription eyewear order with AM Alder Miller, you agree to this Policy.

This Policy does not apply to non-prescription (plano) eyewear, fashion frames without lenses, or accessory orders, which do not require a prescription.

2A.  Valid Prescription Required

Washington State law (RCW 18.34 and WAC 246-852) and federal law (FTC Eyeglass Rule, 16 CFR Part 456) require that AM Alder Miller fabricate prescription eyewear only from a current, valid prescription written by a licensed prescriber. We cannot accept self-prescribed values, internet-estimated prescriptions, or prescriptions from unlicensed sources.

2B.  Who May Write Your Prescription

Your prescription must be written by one of the following licensed eye care providers:

•    A licensed optometrist (OD) — Washington State (RCW 18.53) or any US state or territory

•    A licensed ophthalmologist (MD or DO) — licensed in any US state or territory

•    A licensed physician authorized to perform refractive examinations under applicable state law

AM Alder Miller does not perform eye examinations and cannot prescribe corrective lenses. If you do not have a current prescription, please contact a licensed eye care provider in your area.

2C.  Prescription Validity — Expiration

Your prescription must be current and unexpired at the time you submit your order. AM Alder Miller applies the following validity standards:

Lens Type	Standard Validity Period	Washington State Minimum (WAC 246-852)	AM Alder Miller’s Requirement
Eyeglasses (single-vision, progressive, bifocal)	1–2 years from issue date, per your prescriber	No specific statutory minimum for eyeglasses; prescriber’s professional judgment governs	Must be unexpired per your prescriber’s date; we request prescriptions no more than 2 years old
Contact lenses (if sold in future)	1 year from fitting date	No more than 2 years old per RCW 18.195(3)	Will follow statutory maximum when contact lens products are offered
Progressive lenses (ADD power)	ADD power is typically stable in adults; same validity as eyeglass prescription	Same as eyeglasses	Same as eyeglasses; ADD power must appear on the prescription or we will place order on hold

If your prescription has expired, we will place your order on hold and contact you. We cannot fabricate lenses from an expired prescription. You must obtain an updated prescription from your eye care provider.

2D.  Required Prescription Information

Your prescription must include all values necessary to fabricate your selected lens type. The following table shows what is required:

Field	Single Vision Required?	Progressive Required?	Where to Find It on Your Prescription
Sphere (SPH)	Yes — both eyes	Yes — both eyes	Labeled "SPH" or "Sph"; can be positive (+) or negative (−)
Cylinder (CYL)	Yes — if astigmatism is present; "DS" or blank means none	Yes — if astigmatism is present	Labeled "CYL" or "Cyl"; often negative
Axis	Required if CYL is present	Required if CYL is present	A number from 1 to 180; no unit
Add Power (ADD)	Not required	Yes — required for progressive lenses	Labeled "Add" or "ADD"; the near-vision addition power; often a single value for both eyes
Pupillary Distance (PD)	Yes — single or dual values	Yes — single or dual values; segment height may also be needed	Labeled "PD"; may be one number (e.g., 64) or two (e.g., R: 32 / L: 32)
Expiration date	Yes	Yes	Printed on the prescription; if not shown, the issue date applies
Prescribing doctor’s name	Yes	Yes	Printed or stamped on the prescription
Prism (if applicable)	Only if prescribed	Only if prescribed	Labeled "Prism" and "Base"; contact us before ordering if your prescription includes prism

If any required field is missing from your submitted prescription, our reviewing optometrist will place your order on hold and contact you within one business day to request the missing information.

2E.  Pupillary Distance (PD) — Your Right to This Measurement

The FTC Eyeglass Rule requires optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide patients a copy of their prescription after the completion of an eye examination. If a patient wants to buy glasses online, they will need the pupillary distance measurement. If the prescriber takes a PD measurement, the FTC encourages prescribers to provide it to the patient.

If your prescriber did not include your PD on your prescription, you have the right to ask them for it at no charge. Many eye care providers will provide it by phone, portal message, or email. You may also measure your own PD using a ruler and a mirror, or use a free online PD measurement tool. We are happy to guide you through this process — email us at hello@aldermiller.com before placing your order.

3A.  When to Submit

You will submit your prescription after you place and pay for your order. AM Alder Miller collects prescription information through a secure prescription intake portal that is separate from our Shopify checkout. Prescription data never passes through or is stored on aldermiller.com.

After your payment is confirmed, you will receive an Order Confirmation email at the email address you provided at checkout. That email contains a secure button labeled "Submit Your Prescription." Click that button to begin the submission process. The secure form takes approximately 3 minutes to complete.

Check your inbox and spam folder for your Order Confirmation email. If you do not receive it within 10 minutes of placing your order, email us at hello@aldermiller.com with your order number and we will send the prescription submission link directly.

 

Check your in

3B.  The 48-Hour Submission Window

Please submit your prescription within 48 hours of placing your order. AM Alder Miller cannot begin lens fabrication until your prescription has been verified by our reviewing optometrist. Orders where prescription is not submitted within 48 hours may experience production delays. If you need additional time, email hello@aldermiller.com before the 48-hour window closes.

3C.  Two Ways to Submit Your Prescription Values

The secure prescription intake form offers two methods:

•    Manual entry: type your prescription values (SPH, CYL, Axis, ADD, PD) directly into the form. Copy the values exactly as they appear on your written prescription, including the plus (+) or minus (−) signs.

•    Upload a photo or scan: upload a clear photograph or digital scan of your physical prescription document. Accepted formats are JPEG, PNG, and PDF. The image must be fully legible — all values must be clearly readable. You may upload multiple files if your prescription spans two pages.

We recommend uploading a photo of your prescription in addition to manual entry, as this allows our reviewing optometrist to verify accuracy. However, either method alone is acceptable.

3D.  Do Not Have a Digital Copy of Your Prescription?

Do not worry. Take a clear photo of your physical prescription with your smartphone camera and upload it through the form. A smartphone photo is perfectly acceptable as long as the prescription is fully legible. If you are unable to upload, you may also authorize your eye care provider to email your prescription directly to privacy@aldermiller.com.

3E.  Authorization You Provide When Submitting

By completing the prescription submission form and signing electronically, you confirm that: (1) you are authorized to use this prescription to purchase eyewear; (2) the values you have entered are accurate to the best of your knowledge; and (3) you authorize AM Alder Miller’s reviewing optometrist to contact your prescribing eye care provider to verify your prescription if needed.

4A.  Why We Review Every Prescription

AM Alder Miller employs a licensed Washington State optometrist who reviews every prescription submission before your order enters lens fabrication. This review is required by Washington State law (WAC 246-851-370) and serves two purposes: (1) to verify that your prescription is complete, current, and within our optical laboratory’s fabrication capabilities; and (2) to catch any transcription errors between your submitted values and your uploaded prescription document.

4B.  What Our Reviewing Optometrist Checks

Review Item	What It Means for Your Order
Prescription completeness	All required fields (SPH, CYL, Axis, ADD if progressive, PD) are present and legible
Prescription currency	The prescription has not expired as of your order date
Value accuracy	If you uploaded a prescription image, entered values match the document
Clinical reasonableness	Prescription values are within clinically expected ranges for your selected lens type
Fabrication compatibility	Prescription values are within our optical laboratory’s ANSI Z80.1–2025 fabrication tolerances for the specific lens type, material, and power range you selected
Prism prescriptions	If your prescription includes prism, we confirm compatibility before proceeding

4C.  Independence of the Reviewing Optometrist

Washington State law (WAC 246-851-370) requires that the reviewing optometrist exercise independent professional judgment on every prescription. AM Alder Miller does not set production quotas, approval rate targets, or per-prescription compensation for our reviewing optometrist. The optometrist’s determination — Approved, Hold, or Rejected — is final and cannot be overridden by AM Alder Miller staff.

4D.  Review Timeline

Our reviewing optometrist aims to complete all prescription reviews within one business day of your submission. During peak periods, reviews may take up to two business days. You will receive an email notification when your prescription review is complete and your order has entered production, or if we need additional information from you.

Outcome A — Approved

Your prescription is complete, current, and within fabrication tolerances. Your order enters production at our optical laboratory. You will receive a production confirmation email. Standard production time is 7–14 business days, with additional transit time for shipping.

Outcome B — Hold (More Information Needed)

Our reviewing optometrist has identified something that needs clarification before your order can proceed. Common hold reasons include:

•    A required field is missing (most commonly ADD power for progressive lenses, or PD)

•    The uploaded prescription image is too blurry or partially cut off to read

•    The entered values do not match the uploaded prescription document

•    The prescription expiration date is unclear

•    Your prescription includes prism, which requires additional confirmation

You will receive an email from hello@aldermiller.com explaining exactly what is needed. Please respond within 3 business days. If we do not hear from you within 7 business days, your order will be cancelled and fully refunded.

Outcome C — Rejected

Your prescription cannot be used to fabricate the lenses you ordered. Rejection reasons include:

•    The prescription has expired

•    The prescription values are outside our optical laboratory’s fabrication range for the lens type and material you selected

•    The prescription appears to be for contact lenses, not eyeglasses

•    The submitted document does not appear to be a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber

You will receive a full refund of your order. We will explain the reason for rejection and recommend that you contact your eye care provider. We are happy to assist you find a lens combination compatible with your prescription — email hello@aldermiller.com and we will help you select the right product.

All prescription lenses fabricated for AM Alder Miller orders must conform to the current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Prescription Ophthalmic Lenses Recommendations standard, ANSI Z80.1-2025. This standard specifies the acceptable tolerances for lens power, cylinder, axis, prism, and optical centration for prescription eyewear fabricated in the United States.

What this means in practice: if your lenses are fabricated outside ANSI Z80.1-2025 tolerances due to a laboratory error (not a prescription entry error), AM Alder Miller will remake your lenses at no charge. See Section 9 (Fabrication Error Guarantee) for the full remake policy.

Lens Parameter	ANSI Z80.1-2025 Tolerance (General Reference)	What AM Alder Miller Does
Sphere (SPH)	Within ±0.13 D of prescribed power for powers up to ±6.50 D	Lenses outside tolerance are remade at no charge; see Section 9
Cylinder (CYL)	Within ±0.13 D for cylinders up to 2.00 D; within ±0.15 D for 2.00–4.50 D	Same
Axis	Within ±3° for cylinder ≤0.50 D; within ±2° for 0.50–1.50 D; within ±1° for >1.50 D	Same
ADD power (progressives)	Within ±0.13 D of prescribed ADD power	Same
Prism	Within prescribed tolerance per ANSI Z80.1-2025 Table 2	Same; all prism prescriptions require additional review; see Section 2D

7A.  How We Protect Your Prescription

Your prescription data is Protected Health Information (PHI) and consumer health data under applicable federal and Washington State law. AM Alder Miller applies HIPAA-equivalent security standards to all prescription data, including:

•    Your prescription is submitted exclusively through a HIPAA-eligible intake platform. It never passes through or is stored on aldermiller.com, our Shopify storefront, or any advertising-connected platform.

•    Your prescription data is stored with AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.2+ encryption in transit.

•    Access to your prescription data is restricted to AM Alder Miller’s Privacy Officer and reviewing optometrist, both of whom use multi-factor authentication.

•    All vendors who handle your prescription data operate under signed Business Associate Agreements or Data Processing Agreements.

7B.  Your Privacy Rights

You have rights regarding your prescription data under the Washington My Health My Data Act (RCW Chapter 19.373) and applicable state law. These include the right to access, correct, and delete your prescription data. To exercise any privacy right, email privacy@aldermiller.com with subject "Privacy Rights Request." For full information, see our Consumer Health Data Privacy Notice at aldermiller.com/pages/consumer-health-data-privacy-notice.

7C.  Data Retention

AM Alder Miller retains your prescription submission record (including entered values, uploaded prescription document, and optometrist review determination) for a minimum of six years from the date of your order, consistent with HIPAA record retention requirements. Your optical laboratory partner deletes prescription data within 30 days of order completion.

7D.  Optional: Save Your Prescription for Future Orders

The prescription submission form includes an optional, unchecked checkbox where you may consent to AM Alder Miller retaining your prescription on file for the convenience of future repeat orders. This consent is not required to place an order and may be withdrawn at any time by emailing privacy@aldermiller.com.

8A.  30-Day Return Window

AM Alder Miller accepts prescription eyewear returns within 30 days of the delivery date. To initiate a return, email hello@aldermiller.com with your order number and the reason for the return. We will provide a prepaid return shipping label within one business day.

8B.  The $25.00 Lens Fabrication Fee

A non-refundable $25.00 Lens Fabrication Fee applies to all customer-initiated prescription returns (excluding fabrication error returns — see Section 9). This fee reflects the actual cost of lens cutting, coating, and quality inspection that cannot be recovered after lenses have been fabricated to your specific prescription.

What You Paid	Lens Fabrication Fee	Your Refund
Single vision glasses, from $95.00	$25.00	From $70.00
Progressive glasses, from $325.00	$25.00	From $300.00
Premium or add-on lens options	$25.00	Your total minus $25.00
Non-prescription (plano) eyewear	$0.00	Full refund

Refunds are processed to your original payment method within 5–7 business days of receiving your returned item. FSA/HSA card refunds return to the same card and may take up to 10 business days depending on your FSA/HSA administrator.

8C.  Return Conditions

Returned frames must be in original, unworn condition with no scratches, bends, or alterations. If a frame is returned in damaged or worn condition, AM Alder Miller reserves the right to reduce or deny the refund. Original packaging and any included accessories must be included with the return.

If AM Alder Miller’s optical laboratory fabricates your lenses outside ANSI Z80.1-2025 tolerances for the prescription values our reviewing optometrist approved, we will remake your lenses at absolutely no charge, including no Lens Fabrication Fee and free return and replacement shipping.

To claim a fabrication error: email hello@aldermiller.com with subject "Fabrication Error — Order #[your order number]." Describe the problem you are experiencing. We may ask you to visit a local optical shop or eye care provider for a free lens verification (this service is widely available at no charge and takes about 5 minutes). If verification confirms the lenses are outside ANSI Z80.1-2025 tolerances, we remake immediately at no charge.

The Fabrication Error Guarantee does not cover: (1) prescription entry errors where the values you submitted differ from your actual prescription; (2) prescriptions that changed after your order was placed; (3) adaptation difficulties with a new prescription, which are common with progressive lenses and typically resolve within 2–4 weeks; or (4) frame fit issues, which are addressed separately under our frame exchange policy.

Progressive lenses (no-line bifocals) require an adaptation period. Most wearers adapt within 1–2 weeks; some require up to 4 weeks. Common adaptation experiences include mild distortion in the peripheral zones, slight "swim" effect when moving your head, and the need to point your nose at what you want to see clearly rather than moving your eyes to the side.

Adaptation difficulty is not a fabrication error. If you are experiencing significant difficulty after 4 weeks, please contact us at hello@aldermiller.com. We will review your prescription, lens type, and prescription change history with our reviewing optometrist to determine whether a lens parameter adjustment may help.

For first-time progressive lens wearers: we strongly recommend wearing your new glasses as consistently as possible during the adaptation period — resist the temptation to alternate between your old glasses and your new ones, as this slows adaptation significantly.

Under the FTC Eyeglass Rule (16 CFR Part 456) and Washington State consumer vision care law (RCW 18.195), AM Alder Miller has the right to contact your prescribing eye care provider to verify your prescription. We exercise this right only when our reviewing optometrist has a specific, documented reason to verify a value, and only after notifying you that we are doing so.

Eye care providers: if you are an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or physician seeking to verify that your patient’s prescription was received and is being used correctly, or if you have a question about a patient’s order, please contact us at hello@aldermiller.com. We maintain records of all prescriptions reviewed and approved by our optometrist and can confirm receipt upon your request, consistent with our HIPAA-equivalent privacy obligations.

If you have any question about your prescription, your order status, or this Policy, we are here to help:

•    Email (fastest): hello@aldermiller.com — we respond within one business day, often sooner

•    Prescription privacy: privacy@aldermiller.com — for all data privacy requests and MHMD rights

•    Website: aldermiller.com

•    Mail: AM AlderMiller, LLC — 4620 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington 98408

AM Alder Miller’s business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. We are closed on Washington State and federal holidays.

Consumer Health Data Privacy Notice: aldermiller.com/pages/consumer-health-data-privacy