With a contact lens prescription in hand, it’s possible to buy your contact lenses from stores, the Internet, over the phone, or by mail. Contact lens sales are regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission.)
Ophthalmologists (M.D. or D.O.) are eye surgeons who study and treat eye diseases and can also perform the duties of optometrists; optometrists (O.D.) examine eyes, diagnose and treat vision problems, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and in most states they also can prescribe medicine; opticians grind and dispense eyeglasses and in some states dispense contact lenses.