Originally Posted by
drk
Onliners deliberately flout existing state dispensing laws and nobody cares enough to enforce it. It's just not there, yet.
I am not an expert in this area, but I googled and found this information about the state of New York that "suggests" that it is legal (just ill-advised).Can I buy my prescription eyeglasses online?
New York State law requires prescription eyewear to be fitted and dispensed in person by a licensed practitioner (ophthalmic dispenser/optician, optometrist, ophthalmologist). Although any number of websites offer the sale of eyewear, the consumer must be aware of a number of things. Prescription eyeglasses are highly customized. There are numerous measurements that go into the fitting and fabrication that cannot be conveyed over the phone or internet. These include, but are not limited to: the shape of your nose and ears, the width of your face and the overall size of your head. Measurements such as these, and bifocal or multifocal height, can only be measured when you are face to face with a dispenser wearing the eyeglass frames you are planning to purchase.
In addition, the form, thickness, and material that your prescription lenses are made of should be discussed with your eyecare professional. A bargain that may be advertised online may result in a pair of glasses being heavier than necessary, or cause eye fatigue or headache. New Yorkers are advised to be wise consumers and consult their eyecare professional.
I could not find any information about Texas, but optician licensing in that state is voluntary, so it may not be illegal to dispense online in Texas.
Obviously, each state has their own laws on these matters.
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