Optometry Regulation
Advocacy and Outreach
- March 14, 2005
In Letter to Virginia State Delegate, FTC Staff Supports Continued Competition in the Provision of Optometric Care to State’s Consumers
Comment Addresses Three Bills Currently Pending in State Legislature
- October 8, 2004
Announced Actions for October 8, 2004
In response to an inquiry from Arkansas Representative Doug Matayo, Federal Trade Commission staff in the agency’s Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Consumer Protection, and Bureau of Economics have issued comments concerning whether certain Arkansas regulations on contact lenses are preempted by the new federal Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act. Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Applied Card Systems, Inc., et al.
- April 30, 2003
Proposed Optometry Legislation Would Likely Increase Costs Without Increasing Quality of Care
FTC Submits Comments to Tennessee Senate Majority Leader
- March 28, 2002
FTC Staff Provides Connecticut with Comments on the Sale of Contact Lenses by Out-of-State Sources
Restrictive Interpretations of Statutes and Regulations May Limit Competition from Internet Sellers and Increase Consumer Costs
- August 25, 1997
New Mexico Proposal To Restrict Optometrists' Operations From Retail Settings Could Raise Consumer Prices, FTC Staff Testifies
The Federal Trade Commission today asked a federal district court to block a merger of the nation’s two largest movable medical equipment rental firms charging that the merger violates federal antitrust laws.
- January 11, 1993
Some South Carolina Restrictions On Health Care Professions Could Hinder Competition, Raise Consumer Prices, FTC Staff Advises
Some of South Carolina's laws and regulations restricting the advertising and other activities of health care professionals in the state could unduly limit competition, raise prices, and reduce services for consumers, according to staff members of the Federal Trade Commission in comments made public today.
- December 16, 1992
FTC Staff Testify that Proposed Amendments to Washington State Board of Optometry Rules are Likely to Reduce Competition and Raise Prices
Allowing opticians to continue fitting contact lens in competition with other providers is likely to benefit consumers in Washington state by encouraging lower prices without impairing the quality of eye care, a Federal Trade Commission official said in testimony today before a Washington state legislative panel.
- August 19, 1992
FTC Staff Counsels Texas Against Overly-Restrictive Regulations for Health-Care Practitioners
Some provisions of the Texas laws and regulations governing health care practitioners may limit consumer choice, hinder competition and could lead to higher prices for health services, staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in comments made public today.
- May 1, 1992
Eyeglass Rule Amendments
The Federal Trade Commission has published in the Federal Register a notice amending its Trade Regulation Rule on Ophthalmic Practice Rules to remove the portions of the rule that prohibit state bans on the commercial practice of optometry.
- January 9, 1992
Maine Optometry Practices
The Federal Trade Commission encourages the Maine legislature to eliminate state laws that prevent optometrists from practicing in retail settings and affiliating with corporations because such restrictions increase costs and restrict consumers' access to eye care without providing countervailing consumer benefits, a Federal Trade Commission staff member testified yesterday before the Committee on Business Legislation of the Maine House of Representatives.
- April 16, 1990
Tennessee Health Care Comments
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission has submitted
comments to the Tennessee Division of State Audit concerning the
possible restrictive or anticompetitive effects of statutes
governing 14 state agencies under the Tennessee Department of
Health and Environment.
- March 6, 1989
Michigan Board of Optometry
The Federal Trade Commission staff has said that a proposed
change in the administrative rules of the Michigan Board of
Optometry "is likely to increase costs to consumers."
