UPCOMING ONHAND for as low as 750.00: This will all be available on Dec 22, 2009.

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selling of contact lenses is illegal without prescription by qualified professionals. future violations will result in TS banning and automatic deletion of thread.
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Optical Regulator Wins Case Against Illegal Online Contact Lens Sales

Article Date: 04 Sep 2008 - 7:00 PDT

An Internet retailer was ordered to pay over £60,000 as the General Optical Council (GOC) successfully concluded a criminal prosecution for illegal sales of contact lenses.

Vision Direct pleaded guilty to six offences of selling contact lenses without a valid specification and without the supervision of a registered doctor or optician. Sale and supply of optical appliances are regulated under the Opticians Act.

Dian Taylor, acting chief executive of the GOC, said: "This is a significant result for the Council. The law is designed to protect consumers from eye health problems by ensuring that qualified professionals are involved in prescribing and selling contact lenses. We will continue to take action in the interest of public safety against companies who breach those rules."

"The GOC is currently investigating other alleged offences and will not hesitate to bring further prosecutions in the criminal courts should it be necessary. I would urge all other online retailers to ensure that their processes are compliant with the legislation."

All contact lenses should be fitted by a qualified optician or doctor, and lens wearers are advised to have regular check-ups.

Contact lenses sit directly on the eye, and can potentially cause irritation and infection. Wearers could become intolerant, and not be able to use contact lenses in future. However, in the most serious cases, problems could result in vision loss and blindness.

Optical Regulator Wins Case Against Illegal Online Contact Lens Sales


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Spooky Contact Lenses May Threaten Sight

FDA Issues Warning on Decorative Contact Lenses

WebMD Health News


Oct. 29, 2004 -- Cat-like or hypnotic decorative contact lenses may sound like the perfect addition to your Halloween costume, but FDA officials say the effects can be frightening.


The FDA is warning people about the risks of using decorative or special effect lenses that were not obtained from an eye care professional, such as an optician or ophthalmologist. The decorative lenses can cause permanent eye injury and may lead to blindness.


"Consumers should understand that decorative contact lenses, like contact lenses intended for correcting vision, present serious risks to eye health if they are distributed without the appropriate involvement of a qualified eye care professional," says acting FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, MD, in a news release.


Officials say they have received reports of the contact lenses being sold directly to consumers in beauty salons, flea markets, convenience stores, and through the Internet.


"FDA will aggressively use the full range of its statutory authorities to prevent the improper distribution of these potentially dangerous products," says Crawford.


The FDA has also received reports of corneal ulcers associated with the wearing of decorative contact lenses in excess of the recommended period. These ulcers can progress rapidly and lead to infection of the eye if not treated quickly.


Uncontrolled infection can lead to corneal scarring and vision impairment. In the most severe cases, this condition can result in blindness and eye loss.
Other risks associated with the use of decorative contact lenses include:

• Conjunctivitis (an infection of the eye)
• Corneal edema (swelling)
• Allergic reaction
• Corneal abrasion due to poor lens fit
• Reduction in sight, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions that may interfere with driving and other activities

FDA officials urge consumers to avoid using decorative contact lenses unless they have seen an eye care professional and have obtained proper lens fitting and instructions for use.