View Rule

The FTC promulgated the Contact Lens Rule (Rule) pursuant to the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA), Public Law 108-164 (December 6, 2003), which was enacted to enable consumers to purchase contact lenses from the seller of their choice. The Rule became effective on August 2, 2004. As mandated by the FCLCA, the Rule requires contact lens prescribers to provide prescriptions to their patients upon the completion of a contact lens fitting, and verify contact lens prescriptions to contact lens sellers authorized by consumers to seek such verification. Sellers may provide contact lenses only in accordance with a valid prescription that is directly presented to the seller or verified with the prescriber. 

As part of its ongoing systematic review of all Federal Trade Commission rules and guides, on September 3, 2015, the Commission requested public comments on, among other things, the economic impact and benefits of the Rule; possible conflict between the Rule and State, local, or other Federal laws or regulations; and the effect on the Rule of any technological, economic, or other industry changes. The comment period closed on October 26, 2015. Commission staff has completed review of the 660 comments received from consumers, eye care professionals, industry members, trade associations, and consumer advocacy groups and is formulating next steps.