The Federal Trade Commission has recently settled with a company which sold contact lenses over the Internet. The company, Walsh Optical, sells contact lenses on the sites http://www.lensworld.com/, http://www.contactmania.com/, and http://www.contactlensworld.com/. The company was cited by the FTC after allegations the company had failed to verify contact lens prescriptions, as required by the Contact Lens Sales Rule. The company paid a $40,000 fine and agreed to monitoring of its online activities.
When buying contact lenses (or any prescription product) over the Internet, consumers should become suspicious when the retailer:
- Fills a contact lens prescription unless the seller has either received a copy of the prescription or verified the prescription.
- Fills a contact lens prescription if the prescription is inaccurate, expired, or otherwise invalid.
- Alters contact lens prescriptions.
- Represents that consumers can get contact lenses without a prescription.
"With the online sale of contact lenses and other prescription products skyrocketing, there are a lot of companies out there, and your health could be at risk if prescriptions are not followed," said Bill Moak, President of the Better Business Bureau of Mississippi. "It's important to ensure that you thoroughly check out the company before doing business with them, and to make sure the company follows the prescription to the letter."
Here are some more tips for purchasing contact lenses or glasses online:
Make sure the company asks for your prescription information, and check with your optometrist or ophthalmologist to ensure that the company has checked with them to verify the prescription.
Keep careful records of any online transactions.
Note any return policies, which should be prominently listed on the website.
Make sure the website is secure by looking for the letters "https" in the address bar and a padlock symbol on the bottom of your browser. This helps to ensure your information is kept secure from hackers.
Check licensing requirements. Companies selling contact lenses and glasses in Mississippi are required to be licensed by the Mississippi State Board of Optometry.
For more information, or to see the complete report from the Federal Trade Commission, click on http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/08/walsh.htm.
