Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110
§7604 Expiration of Contact Lens Prescriptions
Title 15 › CHAPTER 102 — FAIRNESS TO CONTACT LENS CONSUMERS › § 7604
Summary
Prescriptions for contact lenses expire on a date set by state law if that date is one year or more after the issue date. If the state sets no date or sets a shorter date, the prescription must last at least one year. The prescriber can pick a shorter date for medical reasons, but must write those reasons in the patient’s medical record and not set it earlier than the prescriber’s medically needed reexam interval. "Issue date" means when the patient receives the prescription.
Full Legal Text
Title 15, §7604
Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
A contact lens prescription shall expire—
(1)on the date specified by the law of the State in which the prescription was written, if that date is one year or more after the issue date of the prescription;
(2)not less than one year after the issue date of the prescription if such State law specifies no date or a date that is less than one year after the issue date of the prescription; or
(3)notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), on the date specified by the prescriber, if that date is based on the medical judgment of the prescriber with respect to the ocular health of the patient.
(b)Special rules for prescriptions of less than 1 year
If a prescription expires in less than 1 year, the reasons for the judgment referred to in subsection (a)(3) shall be documented in the patient’s medical record. In no circumstance shall the prescription expiration date be less than the period of time recommended by the prescriber for a reexamination of the patient that is medically necessary.
(c)Definition
As used in this section, the term “issue date” means the date on which the patient receives a copy of the prescription.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective 60 days after Dec. 6, 2003, see section 12 of Pub. L. 108–164, set out as a note under section 7601 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 7604
Title 15, Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110