Will I be able to order contact lenses online without a prescription?

No, with the new regulation, lens sales over the internet have been compulsorily tied to a prescription.

Can I buy lenses from any e-commerce site?

No, you can only shop from the websites belonging to opticianry establishments that have been permitted by the Institution.

REGULATIONS3 July 2026

Prescription Requirement Introduced for Online Lens Sales

Official titleRegulation Amending the Regulation on the Sale, Advertising and Promotion of Medical Devices

With a new regulation regarding the sale of contact lenses over the internet, a requirement has been introduced that sales can only be made by authorized opticianry establishments and with a prescription.

Details of the Regulation

With the amendment made to the Regulation on the Sale, Advertising and Promotion of Medical Devices dated 15/5/2014, contact lens sales processes have been tightened. In order to make contact lens sales over the internet now, it is mandatory to offer the product through the Institution-approved website of the opticianry establishment. Furthermore, the provision that this sale must be made "with a prescription" has become final.

The regulation aims to prevent the negative effects of uncontrolled internet sales on public health. The Institution has also reserved the right to delegate this authorization power to the relevant provincial directorates of health. In this way, it is aimed to strengthen local audit mechanisms.

Relevant opticianry establishments are required to complete their processes through the up-to-date web portal permitted by the Institution before conducting sales operations. Legal sanction processes for platforms selling lenses without a prescription will accelerate.

REGAS Commentary

This amendment increases the supervision of health products on the internet. Citizens must now check whether the opticianry institution's site is official and Institution-approved when ordering lenses online. In addition, the period of obtaining lenses without a prescription has officially closed.

Questions You Might Have

Will I be able to order contact lenses online without a prescription?: No, with the new regulation, lens sales over the internet have been compulsorily tied to a prescription.
Can I buy lenses from any e-commerce site?: No, you can only shop from the websites belonging to opticianry establishments that have been permitted by the Institution.

Key Terms

Optisyenlik Müessesesi: Healthcare establishment operated by persons holding the title of optician, authorized for the sale of medical devices and optical products.
Kurum: Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK).

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