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Your Right to Your Glasses and Contact Lens Prescriptions

What the FTC Eyeglass Rule and Contact Lens Rule require, including the 2024 confirmation changes, and what to do if a practice won't comply.

When you have an eye exam for glasses or a fitting for contact lenses, federal rules give you a right to a copy of the prescription. You can then buy your glasses or lenses wherever you like, in a store or online. Two Federal Trade Commission rules set this out: the Eyeglass Rule and the Contact Lens Rule. This guide explains what each one requires, what changed in recent amendments, and what to do if a practice does not follow them.

The Eyeglass Rule

The Eyeglass Rule is in the Code of Federal Regulations at 16 CFR Part 456. It applies to ophthalmologists and optometrists who do refractive eye examinations, which is the part of the exam that measures how your eyes focus and determines your lens prescription.

Under section 456.2, the eye doctor must:

The same section says an eye doctor may not:

There is one timing exception. A practice may hold the prescription until you pay for the exam, but only if it would have required immediate payment even if the exam had shown you need no glasses. Showing proof of insurance counts as payment. The rule also allows a separate fee for checking glasses that another seller made, charged when that check is done.

What changed in 2024

The FTC amended the Eyeglass Rule in July 2024 (published at 89 FR 60774). The amended regulation adds two main requirements.

Confirmation of release. Under section 456.4, after giving you a paper prescription, the practice must ask you to sign a separate statement confirming that you received it. The rule offers sample wording along the lines of "My eye care professional provided me with a copy of my prescription at the completion of my examination." If you decline to sign, the practice notes that on the form. If the prescription was delivered digitally, the practice instead keeps evidence that it was sent or made available. These records must be kept for at least three years. This requirement does not apply to prescribers with no direct or indirect financial interest in selling eyewear.

Digital copies. A practice may give you the prescription digitally, for example by email, text message or patient portal, only if it tells you which method it will use and gets your verifiable consent (section 456.3). The digital copy must be one you can open, download and print. If you would rather have paper, you can say so.

The rule's definition of a prescription is the written lens specifications from the exam, including any information your state requires to obtain lenses (section 456.1). Other measurements a seller may ask for, such as pupillary distance, are not listed as part of that definition, so if you plan to buy elsewhere, ask the practice whether it will give you any measurements it took.

The Contact Lens Rule

Contact lenses are covered by a separate rule, 16 CFR Part 315, which implements the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. A contact lens prescription comes from a contact lens fitting, which is more than a glasses exam: it can include measuring the lens specifications, checking how a trial lens fits on your eye and medically necessary follow-up visits.

Under section 315.3, when the fitting is complete the prescriber must:

The prescriber may not require you to buy lenses, pay an extra fee, or sign a waiver in exchange for the prescription or verification. As with glasses, the practice may ask you to pay for the exam and fitting before releasing the prescription only if it would require immediate payment from any patient, and proof of insurance counts as payment (section 315.4). The rule also requires a signed confirmation that you received the prescription, or evidence of digital delivery, kept for at least three years, unless the prescriber has no financial interest in selling contact lenses.

How long a contact lens prescription lasts

Under section 315.6, a contact lens prescription generally expires no sooner than one year after it is issued, or later if state law sets a longer period. A prescriber may set a shorter date only for a medical reason related to the health of your eyes, and must document that reason in your record. The prescriber also may not set an expiration date earlier than the date he or she recommends for your next medically necessary exam. The Eyeglass Rule itself does not set an expiration date for glasses prescriptions; ask your eye doctor or your state board about state rules.

Buying contact lenses from another seller

A seller may fill a contact lens order only if you or your prescriber gives it the prescription, or it verifies the prescription with your prescriber (section 315.5). Sellers must offer you a clear way to upload or send a copy of your prescription before asking for your prescriber's details. If the seller asks your prescriber to verify, the prescription counts as verified if the prescriber confirms it, corrects it, or does not respond within eight business hours. A business hour is generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, in the prescriber's time zone.

A seller may not alter your prescription or substitute a different brand. The one exception is a private-label lens that is the identical lens made by the same manufacturer and sold under a different name. The rule also bars anyone who sells contact lenses from claiming that they can be bought without a prescription (section 315.7).

Who the rules do not cover

The Eyeglass Rule does not apply to ophthalmologists and optometrists who are employed by a federal, state or local government entity (section 456.5). If you are seen at a government clinic, ask how to get a copy of your prescription.

If a practice does not follow the rules

Start by asking the practice for your prescription and mentioning the FTC rule. If that does not work, you can report the problem to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; the FTC enforces both rules. You can also contact the state board that licenses the eye doctor. To check who the doctors are at a practice, see our guide to optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians.

This directory lists registry records for eye care organizations. It does not sell glasses or contact lenses, and a listing is not an endorsement. This is general information about federal rules, not legal advice.

Updated 2026-10-16.

General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Eye Doctor Index is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.

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