Your Eyecare Prescription: Please retain this for your records
DO NOT ALLOW YOUR DOCTOR TO DENY YOUR RIGHT TO HAVE A COPY OF YOUR PRESCRIPTION
The Prescription Release Rule, enacted by the Federal Trade Commission in 1980, mandates that optometrists and ophthalmologists furnish patients with a copy of their eyeglasses prescription upon completion of an eye examination. This regulation, in conjunction with the Contact Lens Rule and the Contact Lens Fairness Act, safeguards consumer rights.
This rule safeguards a customer's right to utilize their eyeglass prescription to procure eyewear from their preferred dealer, website, or store.
Your physician is legally obligated to provide you with a copy of your prescription, regardless of whether you request it. Eye care professionals are prohibited from conditioning the release of your prescription on the purchase of eyeglasses from their practice or charging a fee for its release. Additionally, they may not disclaim liability for the accuracy of the prescription if you choose to purchase eyewear elsewhere.
The FTC enforces three Release Rules. Doctors who violate these rules are subject to a civil penalty of $10,000.
If you feel your eye doctor has violated the rule, you can contact the FTC at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).