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Editor's Perspective
The Rules That Shaped Contact Lenses

As we continue our celebration of Contact Lens Spectrum’s 40th anniver­sary, this month we are reminded of contact lenses’ interesting regulatory journey.

By: JASON J. NICHOLS, OD, MPH, PhD
Contact Lens Spectrum September 1, 2026 Vol 41, Issue September-October 2026 Page(s): 4
4 Topic Commentaries

Editor's Perspective<br>The Rules That Shaped Contact Lenses</br>

  • Rachel J. Bishop, M.D., M.P.H.

    Ophthalmology

    •

    National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

    Whether they’re for prescription purposes or for decorative purposes, they’re still under the category of regulated medical devices and they should be purchased only at a source that requires a prescription to ensure that they are in fact of a quality that is appropriate for contact lens use on the eye.

    Source
  • Vandana Bhide, M.D.

    Internal Medicine

    •

    Mayo Clinic

    The only safe contact lenses are when you go to an eye doctor – so somebody who is actually certified in being able to look at your eyes and fit you for a prescription.

    Source
  • Bob Friese, O.D.

    Optometry

    •

    Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont

    Contact lenses are medical devices that need proper fitting and should be purchased from a store that requires a prescription.

    Source
  • Carol Rosenstiel, O.D., F.A.A.O.

    Optometry/Contact Lenses

    •

    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Contact lenses are FDA-approved medical devices and should not be purchased without a prescription.

    Source