16 CFR § 456.1 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t16/s456.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "16 CFR § 456.1 - Definitions."
title_number: 16
title_name: "Commercial Practices"
section_number: "456.1"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "TRADE REGULATION RULES"
part_number: "456"
part_name: "OPHTHALMIC PRACTICE RULES (EYEGLASS RULE)"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "15 U.S.C. 57a."
regulatory_source: "57 FR 18822, May 1, 1992, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "456"
---


# 456.1 Definitions.

(a) A *patient* is any person who has had a refractive eye examination.

(b) A *refractive eye examination* is the process of determining the refractive condition of a person's eyes or the presence of any visual anomaly by the use of objective or subjective tests.

(c) *Ophthalmic goods* are eyeglasses, or any component of eyeglasses, and contact lenses.

(d) *Ophthalmic services* are the measuring, fitting, and adjusting of ophthalmic goods subsequent to a refractive eye examination.

(e) An *ophthalmologist* is any Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathy who performs refractive eye examinations.

(f) An *optometrist* is any Doctor of Optometry.

(g) A *prescription* is the written specifications for lenses for eyeglasses which are derived from a refractive eye examination, including all of the information specified by State law, if any, necessary to obtain lenses for eyeglasses.

[57 FR 18822, May 1, 1992, as amended at 89 FR 60774, July 26, 2024]