over-the-counter sales of coloured, fashion contact lenses which, when not properly fitted, can cause blindness.

"It is very dangerous,'' said Dr. Gerard Bean, the president of the Bermuda Optometrist and Optician Association. "It is known that ill-fitting contact lenses can be dangerous both in the short-term and the long-term and they can cause blindness.'' And Dr. Royland Samms of Argus Optical likened using the fashion lenses without proper consultation to playing "Russian roulette''.

"I don't think people really know the consequences of what they are doing,'' he said.

The Department of Consumer Affairs announced on Friday that "local retailers had been given the all clear'' to sell the lenses following an investigation it conducted between January 23 and February 2. The non-prescription lenses are being sold over the counter at a couple of Island boutiques. They are also being sold at local optometrist offices -- but only in conjunction with fittings performed by a professional.

Consumer Affairs launched an investigation in late January when an eye care professional contacted the Department over shops selling the lenses without licences to prescribe them.

Inspector Marisa Sharpe told the Royal Gazette that initially it was only one boutique that was brought to the Department's attention and the store was asked to stop selling the lenses.

Fury over sale of coloured lenses "But then we found out there were other stores involved. We couldn't impose penalties on that store with other stores still selling, so they were allowed to sell them until we made a definite decision.'' That decision was made on Friday with the announcement that although the lenses were being sold without professional consultation, "lenses and cleaning solution were always sold as a set with detailed instructions on their proper use.'' The statement said there had been no increase in related eye infections as a result of the lenses and that as long as consumers received instructions on their proper use when the lenses were purchased, retailers were not breaking any laws or regulations by selling them.

Dr. Bean said he was shocked by the decision. "In most Western jurisdictions (over-the-counter sales) are outlawed,'' he said.

"I don't know what precedent or research they used to come up with that decision. It's a real problem,'' added Dr. Samms.

If current Bermuda law does not prevent the sale of the coloured, fashion lenses in this manner, "the law should be changed,'' said Dr. Bean.

Dr. Bean has been trying to contact Minister of Health and Family Services Nelson Bascome with the objections of eye professionals since he heard of the decision last weekend.

"The Association is meeting next week on the matter,'' he said.

And he warned the public to stay clear of the lenses without professional advice and fitting.

"The public should not be lulled into thinking it's okay,'' he said. "It's clearly a danger. It can cause permanent injury and blindness and I'm not overstating the case.'' Dr. Bean explained that the danger posed by the lenses was not related to whether they were to correct vision or not but primarily due to fit.

"Corrective or non-corrective is insignificant,'' he said. "The cornea is the most sensitive part of the eye and there is no difference in fitting a prescription or non-prescription lens to it.'' And Dr. Samms said that to his knowledge, manufacturers of the fashion lenses would only sell to outlets properly licensed to fit them. "These must be coming from black market sources or some middle distributors rather than from the manufacturers because they don't do that,'' he said.

The lenses sold at Argus Optical state clearly on both the box and the interior packaging that under US law they are "restricted to sale by, or on order of, a licensed prescriber''.

"I just don't see how they get around that,'' said Dr. Samms.

And he reinforced Dr. Bean's assertion that it was the fitting of contact lenses which is most important to their safe use.

Improper fit can lead to corneal ulcers, corneal distortion resulting in loss of vision, eye inflammations and exacerbations of otherwise benign allergies, he said.

Consumer Affairs' statement advises consumers to immediately contact an eye care professional if they develop any problems as a result of wearing fashion lenses.'' "It's only a matter of time before it's a problem,'' said Dr. Samms.