5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  Contact lenses are regulated as medical devices in most developed countries, with significant variations in prescription and purchasing practices.

• 2

  In the US, all contact lenses require a valid prescription, and federal regulations mandate prescribers to release prescriptions to patients.

• 3

  European countries emphasize professional services over product sales, relying on examinations and specialty fittings for revenue generation.

• 4

  Asian markets like Japan and South Korea classify contact lenses as medical devices but differ in purchasing structures and professional involvement.

• 5

  International markets indicate that as product access increases, the quality of care surrounding contact lenses becomes a key differentiator.