The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Optometric Association (SAOA) have issued a stark warning regarding the escalating trend of retailers marketing prescription spectacles and contact lenses without appropriate eye examinations by qualified professionals.
This alarming practice follows a reported surge in illegal online and over-the-counter sales by unregistered individuals, endangering the health and safety of the public.
In a joint statement, HPCSA and SAOA emphasised the importance of obtaining a comprehensive eye examination from a registered optometrist before purchasing corrective lenses.
The statement also details that such examinations are crucial for not only assessing vision but also for detecting potential eye diseases and identifying other serious health issues.
“Vision-threatening conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and various retinopathies can lead to irreversible sight loss if not diagnosed promptly,” the statement reads.
It further cautions that while over-the-counter glasses may seem convenient, they cannot replace the thorough evaluation provided by a professional examination.
The risks associated with buying cosmetic or coloured contact lenses from untrained and unregistered individuals further compound the dangers.
Regular ocular health assessments are vital to mitigating serious risks, which may include severe eye infections and permanent vision impairment.
“Proper assessment by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is crucial for maintaining eye health,” the statement underlines.
The statement also highlights that concerns around safety and quality assurance are also paramount. Ocular devices sold by unregistered entities are not subject to the stringent quality and manufacturing standards necessary for maintaining eye health. Consumers are advised to be wary of poor-quality products that could significantly jeopardise their vision.
From a legal perspective, prescribing and dispensing prescription spectacles and contact lenses without proper eye examinations violates the Health Professions Act.
“Only registered optometrists, dispensing opticians, and ophthalmologists regulated by the HPCSA are licensed to prescribe and dispense corrective lenses. The HPCSA's mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that all healthcare services, including optometry and dispensing opticianry, meet the highest standards of safety and quality.
“Selling corrective lenses without proper authorisation undermines professional standards and jeopardises the health of the public by compromising the quality of eye care services. Prescription spectacles and all contact lenses (including cosmetic lenses) are medical devices; therefore, the sale of these devices by non-registered persons, in accordance with existing legislation, is illegal.
“Illegally selling corrective lenses undermines these professional standards and poses grave threats to public health. Prescription spectacles and contact lenses are classified as medical devices; thus, their sale by unregistered persons is illegal under existing regulations.”
As a proactive measure, the HPCSA Inspectorate Office and the SAOA are collaborating with law enforcement and regulatory bodies to investigate these unlawful activities and take stringent legal action against offenders.
“We are committed to protecting the public by taking all necessary steps against these unlawful activities by unauthorised, illegal entities,” the authorities affirmed.
The Star