You need a prescription to buy contact lenses in the US? Pills and such makes sense, but what can you do wrong with contacts, apart from having the wrong strength/astigmatism?

Ophthalmologists need money!

Believe it or not, it used to be illegal (in certain US states) to purchase reading glasses 'over the counter'.

That's right, reading glasses were by prescription only.

nope... uk gets something right I guess