1-800 Contacts’ patient data gathering ceases after AOA alerts FTC | California Optometric Association
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1-800 Contacts’ patient data gathering ceases after AOA alerts FTC

In the aftermath of AOA direct communications with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 1-800 Contacts has discontinued use of a potentially deceptive pre-checked box located at the bottom line of the company’s contact lens order form that indicated authorization to act as the patient’s agent in obtaining a complete copy of the patient’s prescription. AOA maintained this pre-checked box put doctors of optometry in a difficult position in responding to retailers when many consumers were unaware 1-800 Contacts sought to act as their agent, and removal of the pre-checked box restores an important measure of control over prescription information to patients.

In response to doctors of optometry reporting a significant increase in requests from 1-800 Contacts to obtain patients’ complete prescriptions as opposed to common prescription verification requests, AOA met with FTC representatives and a follow-up letter was sent to FTC (member login required) by AOA President Steven A. Loomis, OD. FTC notified AOA that the agency was investigating the issue. Consequently, as of September 22, the 1-800 Contacts website was updated to reflect concerns of AOA and its members, including:

• Discontinued use of the pre-checked box, replaced by an authorization box clearly visible to consumers in the browser window.
• Previous language that read, “Contact my eye care professional to obtain a copy of my written prescription to validate existing and future orders,” was replaced to read, “Want future orders shipped even faster? Check this box to give 1-800 Contacts permission to obtain a copy of your prescription.”

Click here to read more about Dr. Loomis’ letter to FTC and how it resulted in changes.

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California Optometric Association
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