Contact Lenses Without Prescription

Contact lenses are a convenient and preferred option over specs. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, they provide much better visibility, almost as good as natural vision. Secondly, they do not alter your physical appearance, in any way. However, in US contact lenses are treated as any other medical item and require a valid prescription while buying them.

Why You Cannot Buy Contact Lenses Without Prescription?
The 2004 legislation makes it mandatory for all Eye Care Practitioners (ECPs) to prescribe contact lenses. Thus, you cannot buy them unless you produce valid prescription for it. Earlier, you had to buy the contacts from the ECP only. However, the new Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, gives the buyers the liberty to shop around, compare prices and buy contact lenses from private vendors. The ECP has to give a copy of prescription to the patient, even though he may not ask for it. The patient can then get the lenses from the vendor of his choice. It has also been made mandatory on the part of the seller to sell them only after verifying the prescription. If the patient does not produce a prescription, it is the duty of the seller to get it verified from the concerned prescriber. Also, the prescriber has to correct any inaccuracies, while responding to the verification request made by the seller. This also applies for colored contact lenses, if the patient has vision problem.

Why the Need of Prescription?
As mentioned above, contact lenses are considered as a medical device, therefore need a prescription. Since contact lenses fit on your eye, it is imperative that they must fit properly. An ill fitting lens can prove to be harmful for your eyes. Similarly, if the material of the lenses does not suit your eye, you might have to endure many eye problems, including swelling, infections, abrasions, inflammation etc. Some of these may lead to several serious medical implications, which may need an expert's consultation. Often, there is a need of proper guidance on how to use the contact lenses, their care, hygiene, etc. This cannot be achieved if the patients buy the lenses from private seller. As a result, people might wear the lenses in an inappropriate way or even exchange contact lenses. This is particularly true in case of teenagers, who end up using someone else's contact lenses.

When Does a Prescription Expire?
You can buy contact lenses only as long as your prescription is well within the expiry limit. The duration of your prescription, could be about one year or more. After that, you'll have to undergo an eye exam, which will determine the health of your eyes and also, if you are still fit to wear contact lenses. The ECP will then issue you a new prescription, so that you can buy new stock of lenses. This is particularly useful for people who wear disposable contact lenses and have to buy them on a regular basis.

You cannot ever buy contact lenses without prescription if you live in the United States. The websites that offer to sell cheap colored contacts without prescription, are a complete hoax. Genuine websites will verify your prescription before shipping your order, while the bogus ones might ship you substandard contact lenses. The best option is to always buy them upon prescription, after you get your eyes tested by a professional.