[ossyrial]

> [...] the Netherlands, [...] for example require a prescription for anything more complicated than reading glasses.

I have never needed a prescription to get (non-reading) glasses in the Netherlands. In fact, there are webshops where you can purchase any pair of glasses (obviously, you have to enter the values of an eye examination).

[happyopossum]

You can order glasses from web shops in the US too - those “values of an eye examination“ come from your prescription.