Several Internet retailers have formed a new coalition to fight a legislative effort by the American Optometric Association to regulate the online sale of contact lenses.

The Coalition for Contact Lens Consumer Choice "will oppose legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate that would severely restrict where consumers can purchase their contact lenses," according to a news release. Founding members include 1-800 Contacts, Costco Wholesale and Lens.com, all of which sell contact lenses online.

At issue is the Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act, sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is a physician. The proposed law would require online sellers to verify the validity of contact lens prescriptions with the patient's doctor before fulfilling an order. In a separate news release, AOA said the law is needed because some Internet retailers are not checking prescriptions and therefore putting patient safety at risk.

"As a medical doctor and leader in Congress on patient health and safety, Senator Cassidy is taking decisive action to ensure that internet sellers of contact lenses who violate the law and place patients at risk will be held accountable," said Steven Loomis, president of AOA's board of trustees. http://bit.ly/1VjR3QI

The new coalition claims that the bill is just a desperate grab by optometrists to dominate the market on contact lenses. The group notes that, unlike other medical professions, optometrists also sell the products they prescribe.

"Consumers have had to fight for nearly two decades against the collusive efforts of optometrists and the multibillion dollar lens manufacturers who are trying to deprive contact lens wearers of choice and lower prices," said Cary Samourkachian, CEO of Lens.com.

The coalition said 17,000 individuals have signed a petition urging Congress to reject the bill. http://prn.to/1SkKZ4r

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