The correct answer is because it takes a fair amount of time to carry out the examination-and a lot of investment in equipment to just provide the service-never mind the length of time it takes to qualify as a competent professional. But what your practitioner did wasn't worth that at all - I've heard that done often. I find it weird that in a country as litigious as the US people still "fit" contact lenses that way. She has no idea if the lenses actually fit your eyes and how comfortable they are - never mind the detailed look at the cornea and surrounding parts of the eye that a proper contact lens fitting takes - she just took some extra money from you and took the lazy way out.