Announced Action for April 16, 2004

Publication of Federal Register notice: The Federal Trade Commission is requesting public comment on various issues related to the state of competition in the contact lens industry. In connection with the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act, Congress has directed the Commission to conduct a study that examines the strength of competition in the sale of prescription contact lenses. The Federal Register notice, which is available as a link to this press release, states that the Commission is particularly interested in receiving comments on the following issues: 1) the incidence of exclusive relationships between prescribers or sellers and contact lens manufacturers, and the impact of such relationships on competition; 2) the difference between online and offline sellers, including price, access and availability; 3) the incidence, if any, of contact lens prescriptions that specify brand name or custom labeled contact lenses and the resulting effect on consumers and competition; 4) the impact of the FTC Eyeglass Rule on competition; and 5) any other issue that may impact competition in the contact lens industry. Comments must be received by June 24, 2004. (FTC File No. V040010, staff contact is James Cooper, 202-326-3367.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.