Release of contact lens prescriptions: an update

The release of contact lens prescriptions to patients is a clinicolegal issue of importance to optometrists. Legal obligations to release contact lens prescriptions are created by state optometry statute or optometry board rule or regulation.

State statutes and optometry board rules or regulations that pertain to contact lens prescription release requirements are reviewed.

There are 22 states in which statutes or board rules or regulations require optometrists to provide prescriptions after patients have been fitted with contact lenses. In 29 states, the minimum elements of a contact lens prescription have been established. Optometrists in these states must understand and comply with prescription release requirements.

To minimize misunderstandings and conflicts with patients, optometrists in jurisdictions without contact lens prescription release requirements should establish an office policy for the release of prescriptions and communicate this policy in writing to patients. To minimize the likelihood of injury to patients, contact lens prescriptions should be as complete as possible, thereby ensuring that lenses obtained from a third party dispenser will provide optimum acuity, comfort, and physiological response.