The College of Optometrists

Now that plano coloured contact lenses can be supplied only to a prescription, who is in charge of regulating this system? Argos are still selling coloured contact lenses through their website, and on ebay searching for "contact lenses" results in 180+ products. I'm sure lots of other fashion shops and market stalls are still selling them too. As most of these products are not ones sold by opticians, the wearer would not be in possession of a valid CL Rx. So how do these regulations actually work?

as it isn't allowed to prescribe plano Rx for the sake of it can it be possible to sell plano CLs, coloured or not as you can't issue a prescription? or therefore a fitting, or an order to fit?

does not matter if they are plano ,they

come under the same regs as rx lenses,i

would suggest you report argos to the

GOC,perhaps a high profile prosecution would discourage others.

What new regulations, plano lenses are still unregulated

they are covered under the section 60

regulations,which mean the supplier must verify the contactlens prescription before supplying them,if the person buying them does not have an current rx then they are breaching the rules.

I think you will find plano cosmetic are not included

they are included - every article I've read about section 60 says so!

Where do you get your section 60 from

where have you been it has been covered extensively in both the optician and optometry today... it is one of the few good things to come out of the new regulations.

You mean section 27

"Fitting of plano cosmetic lenses is now regulated in the same way as powered lenses and they may only be supplied by registerd persons under supervision or general direction of registered person."Quote from BCLA facsheet on new regulations on cl supply.

I think eye1 must be stuck on the roundabout on section 27 of some motorway as he seems to be going round in circles and not getting anywhere.

Of course the new regulations relate to the Section 60 changes to The Opticians Act.

The contact lens regulations can be viewed on the GOC website.

http://www.optical.org/index_files/legislation/act_part4.doc

I think I may email the GOC just to ask them about what their policy is for these companies selling the plano colours.

I emailed the GOC to see what their policy is.

Will keep everyone posted if I get a reply.

I wouldn't hold your breath Mez, have emailed GOC on various issues in the past and never received a reply (money well spent!!)