European Contact Lens Forum: Successful Seminar on Distribution Channels on Contact Lenses
For the first time, close to 100 Eye Care Professionals, distributors, manufacturers and trade associations gathered for a one-day seminar on distribution channels of contact lenses on 19. Oct. 2011. The Seminar was organized by the European Contact Lens Forum (ECLF) around the theme: “The rapid evolution of technology, distribution channels and consumer behavior means potential changes in the way consumers will access contact lenses. This seminar aims to provide insights into present and future issues, bearing in mind the interest of the consumer and the health of the patient while providing easy access to contact lenses”.
As Charles Snelling, Euromcontact President and Chair of the seminar said: “It is good to see that all distributors of contact lenses appear ready to undertake voluntary steps to increase consumer safety”.
The morning session focused on the facts: changes in the market, share of Internet sales consumer behavior and safety issues.
The two scientific papers by Dr. Florence Malet, President of ECLSO and the results of the CLEER project explained by Helmer Schweizer, Chair of ECLF, showed that “alternative“ distribution of contact lenses, especially cosmetic lenses may be a cause of severe vision damage.
This increase of risk alone is not likely to influence consumers. Contact lens purchases on the Internet are still steadily increasing and this is not likely to change in the coming years. While price may be one of the reasons, all speakers agreed that convenience and delivery service are the highest-ranking reasons for purchasing contact lenses over the Internet. Reassuringly, contributions by major Internet players showed that wearer safety can be assured by pointing out the need for an appropriate fitting and after care, as well as a good cooperation with the eye care professionals.
The afternoon debate provided ample avenues for thought and next steps.In a European market with a wide spectrum of regulated and unregulated distribution, the fast way forward is to work on voluntary ways to ensure consumer safety such as enhanced co-operation with ECP’s, certification of consumer eye health information on websites andvalidated guidelines for Internet distributors. The Health On the Net foundation, whose mission is to promote the effective and reliable use of technologies in the healthcare domain, gave a how certification may improve the quality and credibility of websites with medical or health information.
The European Contact Lens Forum plans to turn this seminar into an annual event. The next edition is planned for October 2012, at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport.
Contact lenses are used for eyes protection. There are two main categories of the contact lenses hard lenses which facilitate the flow of oxygen to your eyes and soft lenses (they absorb water). Contact lenses give us many advantages as well as disadvantage. Opticians in Dublin provide contact lenses to the customer according to their need.