Short answer? Nope. Nada. Not even a single shiny penny. Eye care professionals can’t charge you just to hand over your prescription — it’s legally yours once the exam or fitting is done. You earned that Rx, baby! And no one’s gatekeeping it.

But (you knew there was a but, right?), while the prescription itself is free, the process of figuring it out — the exam, the fitting, the whole “Is it clearer now? Or now?” — that’s where the fees sneak in. It’s kind of like paying a fortune-teller to read your palm — then being told you’ll need to Venmo extra to hear what she saw. Nope. You already paid for the vision, now the prophecy (er, prescription) is yours.

Let’s explore what you’re paying for, what you’re not, and how to never fall for a shady prescription release fee ever again. (Because you deserve crystal-clear vision and zero nonsense.)

What is the eyeglass prescription rule?

Allow us to introduce your new favorite piece of federal legislation, the Eyeglass Prescription Rule — a real thing, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (a.k.a. the people who keep companies from being shady).

This rule says that after your eye care professional completes a refractive eye exam, they have to hand over your glasses prescription for free. No strings. No awkward bartering. 

Here’s what it covers:

• You get your prescription automatically (yes, even if you forget to ask because you were too busy picking out cat-eye frames).

• You don’t have to buy anything from your eye care professional to get it.

• They can’t charge you a copy fee, a release fee, or a because-I-said-so fee.

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What about contacts?

There’s a separate law for that one — because contact lenses love being special. It’s called the Contact Lens Rule, and it says your contact lens prescription also has to be given to you for free once the fitting is complete.

Complete is the important word here. If your eyes are still test-driving lenses (and blinking like they’re auditioning for a role in a dry-eye commercial), your prescription isn’t finalized yet. But once the fit is confirmed? You should receive your Rx.

Are eye doctors required to give you your prescription?

Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes, eye care pros are required to give you your prescription. And not just because it’s polite — because it’s the law.

Eye care professionals must give you your prescription after the exam or fitting. They don’t get to hold it hostage while they pitch you $700 designer frames or throw shade because you’re buying contacts online. In fact, the FTC literally says they have to give it to you even if you don’t ask.

Let’s break it down:

• For glasses: You get the prescription immediately after the refraction. That’s the “which is better?” test. The one where it feels like you’re always wrong but somehow right by the end.

• For contacts: You get it once the fitting is finished, not before. This might take a few appointments, some trial lenses, and a dramatic inner monologue about whether daily disposables are worth the hype.

You can’t be charged for the prescription itself. Not for printing it. Not for emailing it. Definitely not for thinking about it.

Can you get an eye prescription for free?

Technically? Yes. Realistically? Only the prescription itself — not the exam, not the fitting, and definitely not the part where you squint at the letter E and start doubting your entire vision history.

Here’s what’s typically not free:

• Eye exams. These can cost $50 to $250, depending on where you go, what’s included, and whether you’ve got insurance covering any of it.

• Refractions. That’s the specific part of the exam that figures out your eyeglasses prescription. Some eye care professionals bill it separately (especially if insurance doesn’t cover it).

• Contact lens fittings. These take longer, require extra tools and trial lenses, and may involve multiple appointments. So yes, they often come with their own fee.

And here’s what is free:

• The prescription itself, once it’s finalized. Print it. Frame it. Sing it. It’s yours.

So no, you probably can’t walk into an eye care office and leave with a brand-new prescription without paying anything. But once the work is done, the paper (or PDF) is all yours.

Why do I have to pay for my eye prescription?

You’re not paying for the actual prescription — you’re paying for the process of determining it.

Here’s how it usually breaks down:

• You pay for the exam. The comprehensive eye exam is what checks your eye health, screens for issues, and includes the refraction to figure out your prescription.

• You pay for the contact fitting. If you’re getting contacts, the fitting is an additional service. They measure your eyes, assess how the lenses sit, and may give you trials to test.

• You do NOT pay for the prescription document. Once the above is done, your eye care professional has to give you the actual prescription without charging a separate fee. That’s not up for debate — it’s written in literal federal rules.

If a line item on your bill reads prescription fee, and you’re not also getting a full exam? Raise an eyebrow. Politely. Then, ask about the Eyeglass and Contact Lens Rules.

Can eye doctors charge a Rx check fee?

Yes — but only for the act of checking your prescription. Not for handing it to you.

Sometimes, you don’t need a full exam. Maybe you’re just trying to renew your contact lens Rx or double-check if your glasses prescription still works. That’s called a refraction, or a prescription check, and it can come with a fee — typically somewhere between $20 and $60.

And that’s fair! You’re paying for a service. For their time, their tools, their “lens 1 or 2?” wizardry. But once that check is done, they can’t tack on a bonus fee just to give you the updated Rx. That’s like paying someone to write a song and then being billed extra to hear it.

So in short:

• Rx checks can cost money because you’re getting your vision re-evaluated.

• Prescription copies should never cost money because you already paid for the evaluation.

Can an eye care professional charge you for a prescription?

Let’s say it all together now! No, an eye care professional can’t charge you for a prescription. Eye care professionals are absolutely not allowed to charge you just to hand over your prescription.

They can charge you for:

• Eye exams

• Refractions

• Contact lens fittings

• Online vision exams (if you use one to renew your Rx)

They cannot charge you for:

• A copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription

• Emailing, printing, or faxing that prescription

• Saying “congratulations, you now know you’re a -3.25”

The specific section of the law is provided below:

Read the entire law

Time to turn that prescription into clearer days

Now that you’ve got the scoop and know your rights, you can confidently walk out of your eye exam, prescription in hand, and say, “I got this.” 

Not just any lenses. The exact ones your eyeballs were lovingly measured and fitted for. And yes, we make it as painless (and blink-free) as possible.

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts! 

FAQs

Can my eye care professional charge me for giving me my prescription?

Nope, you can't get charged for the Rx itself. The prescription is part of the service you already paid for. Charging for the document itself is not allowed, and the FTC says so — loudly.

Why does a contact lens prescription cost more?

Contacts cost more because they require more work. Your eye care professional has to measure your eyes in extra ways, give you trials, check the fit, and possibly follow up. It’s a whole vibe. The extra fee covers that fitting process — not the piece of paper with the prescription.

What if I lose my prescription?

Losing your prescription is no big deal! Call or email your eye care professional, and they should provide a new copy for free. You can even ask them to send it directly to us if you're ordering online. Your prescription doesn’t vanish just because you lost the printout.

Original publish date: 1/24/20

Updated date: 6/6/25