Can you buy contact lenses for someone else?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made changes to the Contact Lens Rule in June 2020 that went into effect on October 16, 2020. The FDA regulatory requirements remain the same. Before you buy any contact lenses from someone other than your eye care professional, the FDA wants you to be a wise consumer.
Is buying colored contacts illegal?
By law, decorative contact lenses , whether they correct vision or not, require a prescription and proper fitting from an eye doctor. Any type of contact lens that can be purchased without a prescription is being sold illegally—and can pose serious risks to sight and eye health.
Should I buy a year’s supply of contacts?
Buying lenses in a year supply decreases the chances patients need to “make their lenses last,” until their next eye exam. Disposing of monthly lenses regularly each month is an important step in caring for your eyes. Consider buying your contact lenses in a year supply!
Can you buy contacts with an old prescription?
Well, there’s a good reason why you can’t buy contact lenses with expired prescriptions! In the United States, you need to provide a valid prescription written by your optometrist or ophthalmologist to purchase contact lenses, since your prescription will be verified upon sale of the contact lenses.
Can I order a different brand of contact lenses than my doctor prescribed?
Unfortunately, not. Contact lenses come in different sizes and must be fit to your eye by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. If you would like to change the type or brand of lens you are wearing, your eye care professional will need to help you make that choice.
Is it illegal to share contact lenses?
The Contact Lens Rule requires prescribers to give patients a copy of their contact lens prescriptions at the end of a contact lens fitting, even if the patient doesn’t ask for it. A patient who wants to buy contact lenses from another seller may give the prescription to that seller.
Can I buy 2 years worth of contacts?
Contact lenses are a prescription MEDICAL device. Just like a year Rx of birth control or HTN meds you can only fill a year’s worth. You can’t “stock up”.
How much does a year supply of contacts cost?
Contact lenses can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500 a year, depending on the brand, type, and your insurance coverage. Generally, they cost between $20 and $30 a box. Most people with average prescriptions should be able to get a year’s worth of contact lenses for $200 to $500.