The fact that some blogshops do not hesitate to deal in goods that are illegal or unethical places them outside the mainstream of upright and appropriate business. The ability to make good money explains this practice of selling contact lenses by S’pore blogshops. This adds to the perceived LEGITIMACY of the blogshop culture. In this case, the question is linked to the legality and ethicality of their practices.
From: http://admpreview.straitstimes.com:90/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=fcb692da9024d210VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=016fe84edfbf8110VgnVCM100000350a0a0aRCRD
Jan 2, 2011
Blogshops haven't closed eye to contact lens trade
This is despite warnings from MOH to unlicensed online sellers to stop hawking cosmetic lenses
BEFORE Ms Novia Lim, 22, has been wearing cosmetic contact lenses for the past four years. They are larger in diameter ? 15.5mm ? than normal ones. She says wearing them makes her eyes 'look less dead'.
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They are still eye-balling unwary consumers.
It has been more than a year since the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued e-mail warnings to unlicensed blogshops to stop selling cosmetic contact lenses.
But even as some blogshops complied, others have sprouted.
A Sunday Times online check has found more than 20 blogshops hawking such contact lenses.
Asked about the matter, an MOH spokesman said the situation is monitored on a 'periodic basis', adding that 'enforcement action' will be taken against those who break the law.
Only registered optometrists and opticians registered as contact lens practitioners are allowed to prescribe and dispense contact lenses.
Blogshops that run afoul of the law face a fine of up to $25,000 or jail of up to six months or both. Repeat offenders face fines of up to $50,000 or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
The cosmetic contact lenses hawked online are believed to come from South Korea.
These lenses can enhance one's eyes by enlarging them to create a doe-eyed look. They come in various designs and colours.
Ms Ruth Chen, 21, an optometrist at Pearl's Optical, which sells Coolcolor, a cosmetic contact lens brand from South Korea, said: 'We have to ascertain what colour print technology they use in making these cosmetic lenses.
'If the colour is sandwiched between the lens, it will be safer than a lens that has the colour printed outwards, as it could cause irritation to the eye.'
Mr William Choo, 46, an optometrist at Nanyang Optical, said: 'Most of these teenagers buy the lenses to be more trendy, but they are unsure of how to care for their lenses, which results in infections or discomfort.'
Most of these lenses can be used for about three months before they have to be discarded.
The MOH spokesman said buyers 'should always seek the advice of qualified contact lens-practice opticians before they start using any contact lenses, and avoid patronising contact lens blogshops'.
One blogshop owner, a 19-year-old student who wanted to be known only as Ms Siah, started selling contact lenses in November. She makes about $200 a month selling the lenses for as low as $12 a pair.
Those sold by optical shops usually cost $25 a pair. These lenses typically come from the United States, though a handful of shops do sell brands from South Korea.
Ms Siah said: 'My buyers often check their lens' degree at the optical shops before buying from me.'
And though she is aware of the law, she said: 'The lenses I sell are not fakes but are imported directly from South Korean manufacturers. I have tried out the lenses myself.'
But for Ms Chua Jianteng, a 19-year-old student, it is better to buy such lenses from an authorised shop rather than from online blogshops.
'I don't trust them. You don't really know what you are getting from online shops. I have only one pair of eyes, so I'd rather spend more money on a brand of contact lenses I can trust than risk it,' she said.
xhkon@sph.com.sg
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