The internet auction website, eBay, has had charges brought against it by the General Optical Council for allegedly allowing the illegal sale of contact lenses without the involvement of a qualified optician.

The council claims that the sales are putting people and their eyesight at risk and that the incorrect use of contact lenses can lead to infections and even blindness.

Yesterday eBay was served with a summons for allegedly “aiding and abetting” sales in 10 specimen cases.

Under the law, contact lenses can be sold on websites but the buyer must have seen an optician and be able to provide details of an up-to-date prescription. A company selling lenses must use a qualified optician to check sales.

A spokesman for the council said that eBay had been made aware of the problem in November last year. “Last night and this morning there were 200 contact lens sales advertised on eBay.co.uk ranging from prescription daily disposables to 360-day colour lenses,” she said.

After the summons had been issued all the advertisments were taken off the website.

Posted: 09|29|05 at 7:54 am. Filed under: UK News.