Contacts Wearers Face Expensive Choice - ABC News

Aug. 21 -- For many of the 36 million Americans wearing contact lenses, buying the lenses is more expensive than it needs to be because optometrists in much of the country have a lock on the contacts business.

Barry Goold had always bought his contact lenses at a discount, through an 800 number — until he moved to California. His new eye doctor won't allow him to shop around for the best price and says Goold must by contact lenses from only him.

"The law in California does not require a doctor to release a prescription for contact lenses. It does for glasses but not for contacts, which makes no sense," Goold said.

Optometrists used to have a lock on the eyeglasses market as well, but in 1978 Congress enacted a federal measure to require the release of a patient's prescription so that they could shop around. But the rules for contacts are state by state.

Twenty-seven states require eye doctors to release contact lens prescriptions to patients but 23 states have no such laws. In nearly half the nation, eye patients are in the same situation as Barry Goold.

"They don't have choices. They're probably paying more for lenses than they should," said Dr. Peter D'Arienzo.

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In many cases, a lot more.

Studies show that optometrists typically charge 20 percent more for contact lenses than the national average. And if consumers went to discount shops, they could, in many cases, find the same products at half the price.

Eye on the Eye Lobby

Optometrists have lobbied hard to keep in place the current regulations. They say patients get better care from qualified doctors.

"The contact lens-fitting exam does take additional steps and does require that we have the patient back to make sure the lenses are fitted properly," said Dr. Michael Harris, a professor of optometry at the University of California.

But many lawmakers are starting to see it another way. Congress is considering a bill to require the release of contact lens prescriptions.