Getting an eye exam at an optician's in Paris is legal, fast, and becoming increasingly common. The main requirement: having an existing prescription from an ophthalmologist. Since the 2007 reform (Decree No. 2007-553 of April 13, 2007, consolidated by Decree No. 2016-1381), qualified opticians can renew a prescription: up to five years for those aged 16-42, or three years for those over 42 after the initial consultation.
In practice, this means you no longer need to wait three months for an ophthalmologist appointment just to adjust a known prescription. At Ekla, we perform eye exams on-site at our two shops in the 10th and 11th arrondissements. No pressure, and taking as much time as necessary.
This is often what convinces our clients to walk through our doors: avoiding the long wait when there is nothing urgent about the prescription.
Who can get an eye exam at an optician's?
Before we offer you an appointment, here is the simple rule and its limitations. At Ekla, we prefer you to know them beforehand rather than having to send you back to the ophthalmologist once you are here.
You can have your prescription renewed at an optician's if:
- you are over 16 years old
- you have an ophthalmologist's prescription that is less than 5 years old (between 16 and 42) or less than 3 years old (after 42)
- the ophthalmologist has not explicitly checked "renewal prohibited" on the prescription
You cannot go directly through an optician if:
- you are wearing glasses for the first time without an existing prescription (see note below)
- you have a new symptom: eye pain, distorted vision, loss of visual field, spots in your field of vision
- the previous prescription is too old or explicitly non-renewable
First pair ā 2024 update: since Decree No. 2024-617 of June 27, 2024, an optician can adapt a first prescription subject to obtaining the agreement of the prescribing ophthalmologist (agreement is presumed if there is no response within 10 business days). An initial prescription is still required. Stop by the shop so we can explain how this applies to your situation.
For children, the rule is stricter: pediatric prescriptions remain the responsibility of the ophthalmologist. At Ekla, we support the renewal and fitting of frames based on a prescription, but pediatric eye exams must be done by a specialist.
What is an eye exam like with us?
The exam lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. It is longer than in a chain store, and that is intentional: we take the time to explain each measurement as we take it. It might seem minor, but it ensures you leave knowing exactly what was measured, rather than just walking out with a prescription that no one explained to you.
Specifically, we follow four steps:
- We measure your refraction with an autorefractor
- We refine the prescription with trial lenses (the classic "top letter, bottom letter" test)
- We check your binocular vision (how your two eyes work together)
- We adapt the prescription based on your usage: screens, reading, driving, sports
An opinion we stand by: an exam under 10 minutes is suspicious. Good visual adaptation requires testing the correction in various real-life situations, not just reading a chart from a distance.
If you already wear progressives or if it is your first pair, we also include a test for intermediate distances (reading, screens). This is a step we never skip. It is what makes the difference between comfortable progressives and progressives that end up in a drawer.
What the exam does not cover (and this is important)
An optician adapts a prescription. They do not diagnose pathologies. This is the legal and ethical limit of our profession. At Ekla, we prefer to say it clearly rather than leave any doubt.
If we detect an anomaly during the exam (suspicious intraocular pressure, altered visual field, signs that require a fundus exam), we will immediately refer you to an ophthalmologist. No grey areas.
This is why ophthalmological follow-ups remain essential every 2 to 5 years depending on age (every 1 to 2 years after 65), even if you renew your glasses with us between consultations.
Practical tips to prepare for your appointment
Here is what we recommend to our clients so that the exam is as precise as possible:
- Bring your previous prescription, even if it is expired. It gives us a useful baseline for comparison.
- Bring your current glasses. We can measure the actual prescription on them, which helps.
- Avoid screens for 30 minutes before the appointment, for the same reason.
- List your visual needs: how many hours of screen time per day, reading distance, night driving, etc. This allows us to adapt the prescription to your real life.
Choose Ekla for your eye exam if you are looking for:
- a qualified optician who takes the time to explain each measurement (20-30 min, not 8 min);
- a quick exam to renew a known prescription without waiting for an ophthalmologist;
- clear referral to an ophthalmologist if an anomaly is detected;
- universal third-party payment for glasses afterward, with no out-of-pocket expenses.
Ekla is not for you if: you have a new symptom (pain, distorted vision), or you are looking for a 10-minute exam. In these cases, an ophthalmological exam is essential and an optician cannot replace it.
Practical information
š Ekla Paris 10, 84 rue d'Hauteville, 75010 Paris. Tel: 01 42 28 90 89
š Ekla Paris 11, 147 rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75011 Paris. Tel: 01 56 61 00 00
š Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm
š
Eye exam by appointment or walk-in
Frequently asked questions
Need to have a frame repaired or adjusted while you're in the shop? Our repair service is available without an appointment ā free on-site diagnosis.
How long does an eye exam last at Ekla?
Between 20 and 30 minutes. It is longer than in a chain store because we take the time to explain each measurement and test your prescription at several distances.
Do you need a prescription for an eye exam at Ekla?
Yes, to renew or adapt a prescription. Your prescription can be up to 5 years old if you are between 16 and 42, or up to 3 years old if you are over 42. For a first pair, the situation evolved in 2024: stop by the shop and we will explain based on your case.
Is the eye exam at Ekla reimbursed?
The exam itself is not reimbursed by Social Security. However, at Ekla, the exam is complimentary for our clients, and universal third-party payment applies to the glasses: zero out-of-pocket expenses.
Can you get an eye exam at Ekla for a child?
At Ekla, we support the renewal and fitting of children's frames based on a prescription. But pediatric eye exams remain the responsibility of a specialized ophthalmologist; we do not perform them.
What happens if the optician detects a problem during the exam?
We will immediately refer you to an ophthalmologist. An optician adapts a prescription, they do not diagnose a pathology. This is the legal limit of the profession, and we respect it without exception.