Contact Lens Prescriptions And The Law

On February 4^th, 2004, a Federal Law called the "Fairness To Contact Lens Consumers" act went into effect. This law made it much easier for you to enjoy the savings and convenience of ordering on-line from Discount Contact Lenses.

What does the law say?

The law requires your eye-doctor to release your prescription. If you had your last eye-examination after February 4, 2004, your doctor should have handed your prescription to you on completion of the fitting, whether you asked for it or not.

If Discount Contact Lenses requests confirmation of your prescription from your doctor, he/she is legally required to confirm the prescription within 8 business hours. If your doctor fails to respond to our request within 8 business hours, the law allows us to assume the prescription is valid. Your doctor may NOT require you to sign any form of release or waiver prior to confirming your prescription. We are allowed to contact your doctor by phone, fax or email. We generally use Fax and/or Phone to request confirmation of prescriptions.

Do I need to provide you with my doctor's phone and fax number?

No. If you provide us with your doctor's name (or the store where he works), and the city where you had the exam, we can generally find the phone and fax number.

How long is my prescription valid for?

A minimum of 1 year, and 2 years in many states. Your doctor may place a shorter expiration time on your prescription, but only if there are documented medical reasons for doing so. If your prescription has an expiration date, you may want to ask your doctor to explain the medical reasons he/she has placed such a restriction on your prescription.

My doctor is requiring me to return for a follow-up visit before releasing the prescription. Is this legal?

Yes. The doctor may want to evaluate your eyes with the trial (fitting) lenses in place prior to releasing the prescription. He/she may also require you to pay for the fitting in full prior to releasing the prescription

My Doctor refuses to release my prescription unless I sign something. Is this legal?

No. Your doctor may not require you to sign any form of release or waiver prior to confirming your prescription.