The prescribing of contact lenses is usually restricted to appropriately qualified eye care practitioners. In countries such as the United States (in the US all contact lenses are deemed to be medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration), the United Kingdom and Australia, optometrists are usually responsible. In France and eastern European countries, ophthalmologists play the major role. In other parts of the world, opticians usually prescribe contact lenses. Prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses may be similar, but are not interchangeable.
The practitioner or contact lens fitter typically determines an individual's suitability for contact lenses during an eye examination. Corneal health is verified; ocular allergies or dry eyes may affect a person's ability to wear contact lenses successfully.
The parameters specified in a contact lenses prescription may include:
- Material
- Base curve radius
- Diameter
- Power in dioptres
- Cylinder axis
- Center thickness
- Manufacturer
Many people already wearing contact lenses order contact lenses over the Internet. In the US, The Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, which became law in February, 2004, was intended to ensure the availability of contact lens prescriptions to patients.[36] Under the law consumers have a right to obtain a copy of their contact lens prescription, allowing them to fill that prescription at the business of their choice.
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