Comment #906
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Scott Carlson
Friday, March 26 , 20046:04 PM
CO NT ACTLENSRULE
Opinion from optometrist for new contact lens law
As an optometrist seeing many contact lens patients everyday, this new
contact lens law affects me , my practice , and overall , my patients. We
have an opportunity to make this law fair for everyone involved with the
appropriate rule changes. I will outline my suggestions to make this as
clear as possible.
1. All specialty lenses need to be excluded from this law. This
includes rigid lenses and soft specialty lenses that need to be
purchased by the Doctor to complete the fit.
All other suggestions to follow are referring to soft contact lenses
that come in "blister packs" or individual vials.
2. Doctors need to specify the number of boxes that the patient is
eligible for until their next contact lens exam. Yearly contact lens
exams are crucial to the ocular health of patients. A patient cannot be
allowed to purchase another year supply of contacts a few days before
the expiration date and bypass the annual contact lens exam. Everyday
in my practice , I see patients with GPC (giant papillary conjunctivitis)
without the patient knowing they have this condition. This allergic
reaction to protein and lipid deposits on contact lenses can be avoided
with proper contact lens care and education. The only way to monitor
this potentially serious condition is to evaluate contact lens patients
regularly. By not allowing Doctors to specify the number of boxes
eligible until their next exam , it will be easy for patients to skip
their exam since they had access to purchase to great of a supply of
contacts. If Sellers do not abide by the number of boxes prescribed by
the Doctor, there should be a penalty.
3. Sellers should not solicit additional quantities of lenses when
filling a prescription , or there should be a penalty. (example:
soliciting color contacts for more boxes)
4. Sellers should not charge patient's credit card or ship contact
lenses until the prescription is veri