AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton this week reached a $36,000 settlement with THEG, Inc., which did business as the online contact lens distributor/wholesaler Fine and Clear. Fine and Clear sold contact lenses to consumers without requiring them to provide a valid prescription, violating the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Optometry Act.
Fine and Clear voluntarily agreed to stop selling contact lenses to consumers without prescriptions, and also agreed to provide consumers with a full refund for a period of 90 days from the start date of the settlement.
“This settlement will serve to help protect Texans who may be unaware that the improper use of contact lenses can cause potentially serious vision problems,” Attorney General Paxton said. “I appreciate THEG, Inc.’s agreement to cease selling contact lenses without proper prescriptions. My office will always protect the health and safety of all Texans.”
Before buying contact lenses, the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD) recommends the following precautions:
- Always visit a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for proper fitting of contact lenses.
- Never buy contact lenses without a prescription; Texas law does not exempt cosmetic lenses from the prescription requirement.
- Buy contact lenses from a seller that requires you to provide a prescription, whether you purchase in person or online.
- Avoid buying lenses from street vendors, convenience and dollar stores, flea markets and novelty stores.
CPD also receives and reviews complaints submitted to the office by consumers; while the attorney general is prohibited from representing such individuals, these complaints are used by the office to help shape priorities and identify issues affecting Texans. Consumers can file complaints by visiting: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cpd/file-a-consumer-complaint.
View the settlement here.
