Press Releases
The list below contains FTC press releases related to optometry regulation from 1988 to the present. Many of the current press releases contain links to the supporting case documents such as complaint filings and consent orders.
- For Release: December 10, 2007
FTC Focuses Law Enforcement Lens on Unlawful Contact Lens Sales
Two marketers of non-corrective, cosmetic contact lenses have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated federal law by selling lenses without prescriptions. - For Your Information: October 17, 2007
FTC Warns 15 Marketers of Cosmetic Contact Lenses
On October 12, Federal Trade Commission staff sent warning letters to 15 sellers of non-corrective, cosmetic contact lenses who appeared to be providing contact lenses to consumers without valid prescriptions. - For Your Information: October 13, 2007
No Tricks, No Treats: FTC Warns Halloween Consumers that Even Cosmetic Contact Lenses Require Prescriptions
Planning to cap off your Halloween costume with a pair of cat-eye contact lenses? The Federal Trade Commission wants you to know that all contacts -- even those that are cosmetic or theatrical -- require a prescription. - For Your Information: September 14, 2007
FTC Warns Ten Contact Lens Prescribers to Provide Patients with Prescriptions
Federal Trade Commission staff sent ten warning letters to prescribers of contact lenses for allegedly failing to release prescription information to their patients, requiring their patients to purchase contact lenses from them, or imposing additional fees on their patients before releasing the prescriptions - For Release: July 30, 2007
FTC Charges Puerto Rico Optometrists’ Group, Two of its Leaders, With Orchestrating Price-Fixing Conspiracy
Consent Order Bars Group’s Doctors from Jointly Negotiating Prices or Terms of Service
- For Release: September 15, 2006
FTC Provides House Testimony on Competition Issues in the Contact Lens Industry
Testifying today on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, Office of Policy Planning Director Maureen Ohlhausen said the agency is dedicated to continuing its work to protect both consumers and competition through enforcement of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumer Act (FCLCA) and the FTC’s Contact Lens Rule, which closely tracks the Act’s provisions. - For Release: August 7, 2006
FTC Alleges Illegal Internet Sales of Contact Lenses
Web Sites Did Not Verify Prescriptions - For Your Information: June 30, 2006
FTC Staff Sends Warning Letters to Marketers of Cosmetic Contact Lenses
The Federal Trade Commission staff took action earlier this week to increase compliance with the Contact Lens Rule by sellers of non-corrective, decorative/cosmetic contact lenses.
- For Your Information: March 14, 2005
In Letter to Virginia State Delegate, FTC Staff Supports Continued Competition in the Provision of Optometric Care to State’s Consumers
Comment Addresses Three Bills Currently Pending in State Legislature - For Release: February 15, 2005
FTC Issues Study on Competition in Contact Lens Market
The Federal Trade Commission has released a study on the strength of competition in the sale of prescription contact lenses.
- For Your Information: October 8, 2004
Announced Actions for October 8, 2004
In response to an inquiry from Arkansas Representative Doug Matayo, Federal Trade Commission staff in the agency’s Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Consumer Protection, and Bureau of Economics have issued comments concerning whether certain Arkansas regulations on contact lenses are preempted by the new federal Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Applied Card Systems, Inc., et al. - For Your Information: October 22, 2004
The Contact Lens Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 315) and the Eyeglass Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 456)
The Federal Trade Commission staff today took action to increase the effectiveness of and compliance with the Contact Lens and Eyeglass Rules. - For Your Information: October 22, 2004
The Contact Lens Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 315) and the Eyeglass Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 456)
The Federal Trade Commission staff today took action to increase the effectiveness of and compliance with the Contact Lens and Eyeglass Rules.
- For Release: April 30, 2003
Proposed Optometry Legislation Would Likely Increase Costs Without Increasing Quality of Care
FTC Submits Comments to Tennessee Senate Majority Leader - For Release: September 9, 2003
FTC Testifies on Contact Lens Legislation
Agency Supports Goal of Promoting Greater Competition
- For Release: March 28, 2002
FTC Staff Provides Connecticut with Comments on the Sale of Contact Lenses by Out-of-State Sources
Restrictive Interpretations of Statutes and Regulations May Limit Competition from Internet Sellers and Increase Consumer Costs - For Release: September 26, 2002
FTC Testifies on Internet Competition
Upcoming FTC Workshop Will Examine Whether Certain State Regulations and Business Practices May Be Impeding E-Commerce - For Release: June 12, 2002
FTC Staff Testifies Before Connecticut Board of Examiners for Opticians
Explains How Additional Regulation of Replacement Contact Lenses Will Likely Increase Consumer Costs, Decrease Consumer Convenience, and Suppress E-Commerce
- For Release: February 19, 1998
FTC Alleges a Second Company Made False and Deceptive Claims for Eye Care Treatment
Non-Surgical Procedure Does Not Correct Bad Vision
- For Your Information: August 25, 1997
New Mexico Proposal To Restrict Optometrists' Operations From Retail Settings Could Raise Consumer Prices, FTC Staff Testifies
The Federal Trade Commission today asked a federal district court to block a merger of the nation’s two largest movable medical equipment rental firms charging that the merger violates federal antitrust laws. - For Release: August 21, 1997
Eye Care Treatment Ads Are False And Deceptive, Says FTC Non-Surgical Procedure Does Not Cure Bad Vision
Non-Surgical Procedure Does Not Cure Bad Vision
- For Your Information: July 20, 1995
FTC Denies Petition to Revise "Eyeglasses Prescription Release Rule"...
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it has denied a petition to revise its "Eyeglasses Prescription Release Rule," which requires eye doctors to give patients a copy of their prescription for glasses, to also require the release of contact lens prescriptions to patients.
- For Your Information: January 11, 1993
Some South Carolina Restrictions On Health Care Professions Could Hinder Competition, Raise Consumer Prices, FTC Staff Advises
Some of South Carolina's laws and regulations restricting the advertising and other activities of health care professionals in the state could unduly limit competition, raise prices, and reduce services for consumers, according to staff members of the Federal Trade Commission in comments made public today.
- For Your Information: December 16, 1992
FTC Staff Testify that Proposed Amendments to Washington State Board of Optometry Rules are Likely to Reduce Competition and Raise Prices
Allowing opticians to continue fitting contact lens in competition with other providers is likely to benefit consumers in Washington state by encouraging lower prices without impairing the quality of eye care, a Federal Trade Commission official said in testimony today before a Washington state legislative panel. - For Your Information: January 9, 1992
Maine Optometry Practices
The Federal Trade Commission encourages the Maine legislature to eliminate state laws that prevent optometrists from practicing in retail settings and affiliating with corporations because such restrictions increase costs and restrict consumers' access to eye care without providing countervailing consumer benefits, a Federal Trade Commission staff member testified yesterday before the Committee on Business Legislation of the Maine House of Representatives. - For Your Information: May 1, 1992
Eyeglass Rule Amendments
The Federal Trade Commission has published in the Federal Register a notice amending its Trade Regulation Rule on Ophthalmic Practice Rules to remove the portions of the rule that prohibit state bans on the commercial practice of optometry. - For Your Information: August 19, 1992
FTC Staff Counsels Texas Against Overly-Restrictive Regulations for Health-Care Practitioners
Some provisions of the Texas laws and regulations governing health care practitioners may limit consumer choice, hinder competition and could lead to higher prices for health services, staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in comments made public today.
- For Your Information: April 16, 1990
Tennessee Health Care Comments
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has submitted comments to the Tennessee Division of State Audit concerning the possible restrictive or anticompetitive effects of statutes governing 14 state agencies under the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment.
- For Your Information: March 6, 1989
Michigan Board of Optometry
The Federal Trade Commission staff has said that a proposed change in the administrative rules of the Michigan Board of Optometry "is likely to increase costs to consumers."
- For Release: June 21, 1988
FTC Upholds Charges that Massachusetts Board Illegally Banned Truthful Advertising by Optometrists; Issues Order Prohibiting Challenged Proactices
The Federal Trade Commission today announced it has ruled that the Massachusetts optometry board restrained competition by illegally restricting truthful advertising.
