WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 10 that is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Contact Lens Rule, in addition to a multitude of other issues related to the rule.
The rule, which went into effect in 2004, promotes competition in the retail sale of contact lenses by facilitating consumers’ ability to comparison shop for contact lenses. Eye care presribers and contact lens sellers are given mandates to follow. Prescribers must provide consumers with a copy of their prescription after they receive an eye exam. Contact lens vendors must sell their lenses only to consumers that can show a valid prescription.
The FTC’s proposed changes come after it sought public comment in September 2015 on the costs, benefits and impact of the Contact Lens Rule. After reviewing the 660 comments from interested parties and stakeholders, the agency determined it would be beneficial to increase compliance with the automatic prescription release requirement.
The FTC voted 3-0 to approve the Federal Register notice. It will be published in the Federal Register soon, and comments will be taken until Jan. 30, 2017.