If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you probably know that comparison shopping can help you find quality eye wear that meets your budget. In fact, your ability to comparison shop for eyeglassses is aided by a Federal Trade Commission regulation. Under federal law you have the right to a copy of your eyeglass prescription so that you can shop for the best value in eye wear. If you are buying contact lenses, comparison shopping also can help you find an eye care specialist who offers products and services suited for you.

This column will explain what rights you have under the law and give you information about various types of eye care professionals. It also gives some suggestions about selecting an eye care professional and shopping for eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Prescription Release Rule requires eye doctors to give you your eyeglass prescription at no extra cost immediately after an eye examination that includes a refraction (a test that determines the prescription needed to correct your vision). Your eye doctor may withhold your eyeglass prescription until you have paid for your eye exam, but only if your doctor requires immediate payment, whether or not a visual correction is needed.

With prescription in hand, you can shop for eyeglasses just as you should for other health-related products and services, looking for the best quality at the best price. You have a legal right to your eyeglass prescription, so request it if it is not provided immediately after an eye examination in which a refraction is performed.

As for contact lenses, although not required by federal law, many eye care specialists will give you a copy of your contact lens specifications. It is important to have a copy of these specifications if you want to buy your contact lenses, especially replacement or duplicate lenses, from a different specialist. Otherwise, you may have to pay or another lens fitting exam.

Price is not your only consideration in choosing someone to examine your eyes, fill your prescription, or fit you for contact lenses. You also might be concerned about the type of eye care specialist you wish to visit; the quality of eye care and eye wear you may recieve; and the service that is promised, especially if some adjustments or modifications prove necessary.

Before selecting an eye care specialist, you should know the difference among the three types of specialists: opthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, and the services each is qualified to perform. Only opthalmologists and optometrists may issue eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions.

Opthalmologists are physicians who are either medical doctors (MDs) or osteopathic physicians (DOs). They specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases of the eyes. They specialize in diagnosing and treating deseases of the eyes. They can prescribe drugs, perform examinations and eye surgery, and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Optometrists have Doctor of Optometry degrees (ODs). Though they are not medical doctors they can examine eyes for vision problems and eye diseases and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses. State law determines the extent to which optometrists may diagnose and treat eye diseases and prescribe drugs, and laws vary from state to state. In states where optometrists are not permitted to provide certain treatments, they will normally refer you to an opthalmologist or other appropriate medical practitioner for such treatment.

Opticians fill prescriptions for eye wear written by opthalmologists and optometrists. They may not examine eyes or prescribe lenses. They dispense eyeglasses and , in some states are permitted to fit and dispense contact lenses.

To ensure quality care, you might ask for recommendations from your friends. You also might want to check with Northeast COMBAT to see if any complaints have been lodged against the eye care specialist you are considering.

Investigate what kind of service eye care providers will give you, especially if you have a problem. You may want to consider the following information.

Eye examinations: A thorough eye examination includes a refraction, tests for other vision conditions, and an eye health exam. An eye exam also can reveal whether you are a good candidate for contact lenses. Remember, only M.D.s, D.O.s and O.D.s may perform eye exams.

Eyeglasses: If your eye exam shows you need a visual correction, you may decide you want eyeglasses. Ask about the delivery time for eyeglasses, any refund policy and who pays for replacement lenses or frames if ther are problems with either the lenses or the frames.

Contact lenses: Contact lenses are important health care devices that require proper fitting and care. Thus, if you decide you want to buy contact lenses, additional steps are necessary beyond the basic eye exam, the contact lens evaluation and the fitting.

Because buying contact lenses is more complicated than buying eyeglasses, here are some questions you maight ask eye care specialists:

What do you charge for an eye exam, lenses, a contact lens evaluation, fittings, a lens care kit, follow-up visits and “insurance” service agreements?

These items may be priced indiviually or sold as a package. Some advertisements for contact lenses quote bargain prices for the contact lenses alone. But bargain-priced contact lenses may not be the best purhcase if the other essential goods and services are not included in the price.

So, before you select an eye care specialist, ask about the total cost of care, including what tests are included in the eye exam. A reasonably priced package may be a better deal than bargained-priced goods that do not include free follow-up visits.

What is your refund policy?

Not everyone who wants to wear contacts is able to adapt to them. With a good refund policy, you will no lose your entire investment if you cannot wear the contacts.

What is your policy on the release of my contact lens specifications?

Under the FTC rule, the eye care specialist must provide you with your eyeglass prescription, but not your contact lens specifications. Without these measurements, comparison shopping for contact lenses is difficult, if not impossible. Ask about the doctor’s policy before you make an appointment for an eye exam. If you want a copy of your contact lens specifications, shop for an eye care provider who will release it to you.

Consumer Forum is a collaborative effort of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast COMBAT. Send your questions to Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. COMBAT is a membership organization with basic dues of $10 a year. For membership information write to the above address. Please enclose a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope.