Collaboration on illegal contact lens sales

A new collaboration between the Association of Optometrists and the General Optical Council has sought to address the illegal sale of zero-powered cosmetic and novelty contact lenses.

A jointly produced leaflet, Do you know the law on selling contact lenses?, set out the facts and the GOC’s legal remit in this area to take action and has been designed to look like a cease and desist order.

The leaflet can be used by optical practitioners who wish to advise local suppliers of the law around contact lenses, and inform them that they should stop selling them illegally.

Emma Spofforth, Chairman, AOP Independents’ Committee, said: ‘We know, from member feedback, that many optical practitioners are aware of illegal sales in their local area and want to notify the vendor that they are breaking the law but perhaps feel they haven’t the means to do so. This leaflet gives practitioners a way in and sets out the legalities in plain terms.’