Law on Prescription Eyeglasses

The Federal Trade Commission enacted the "eyeglass rule" in 1978 under the Commercial Practices part of the U.S Federal Code.

Prescription Rights

• Every consumer has the right by law to know their eyeglass prescription after an eye exam. The only instance for which this would not be true is if the consumer had not paid for his exam.

Purchases

• By law, eye care providers are restricted from conditioning an eye exam or prescription on the purchase of one of their separate products. By doing so, the consumer is free to undergo an eye exam from one provider and use their prescription to shop around for eyeglasses.

Fees

• According to the law, eye care providers are also prohibited from charging any additional fees for releasing the prescription other than the fee agreed to for the exam.

Liability

• The law also clearly states eye care providers are not allowed to release themselves or force a patient to release him from liability in the event a prescription is incorrect.

Reporting

• Consumers who feel they have been mistreated by their eye care provider should remind the provider of the law associated with eye glass prescriptions. Consumers can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.