Under what circumstance is it acceptable for a practitioner to withhold a contact lens prescription?

Withholding a contact lens prescription is deemed acceptable when the contact lens fitting is not finalized. In practice, this means that the practitioner has not completed the necessary fittings and evaluations to ensure the lenses are appropriate for the patient’s eyes. Until the fitting is finalized, it’s essential for the health and safety of the patient that the appropriate lenses—those that fit well and provide optimal visual acuity—are established.

Before the fitting process is complete, practitioners need to confirm that factors such as the curvature of the eye, the visual acuity, and any existing ocular health issues are adequately addressed. This safeguards against potential complications, such as discomfort or damage to the eye, that could arise from prescribing lenses that haven’t been specifically tailored to the patient’s needs.

In contrast, circumstances like a patient requesting their prescription do not sufficiently justify withholding it, as the patient has a right to their prescription upon completion of the fitting. Similarly, insurance issues or practitioner discretion do not align with the best practices for delivering patient care and ensuring appropriate access to corrective options. The primary consideration should always be the well-being of the patient, which is why withholding a prescription is appropriate only when the fitting is incomplete.