KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to table the Optometry Bill in Parliament in October 2026 to strengthen regulation of optometry practice and address online sales of cosmetic contact lenses that current laws are unable to adequately control.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday (February 10) that the proposed legislation is intended to streamline regulation of optometry practice “in a clearer, safer and more accountable manner” so that protection of the public’s eye health can be strengthened, including issues involving the online sale of cosmetic contact lenses that cannot be effectively handled under the existing Optical Act 1991 [Act 469].
He added that the Bill will also differentiate professional roles between optometrists, ophthalmologists, and traders identifying as opticians, while addressing risks of excessive commercialisation and improving the quality of primary eye care.
“This Act will, among others, differentiate professional roles between optometrists, ophthalmologists, and traders or those identifying as opticians,” Dzulkefly said during Minister’s Question Time in response to Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat).
“At the same time, it will address risks of excessive commercialisation and issues related to the quality of primary eye care – at the primary health level – particularly for early detection of eye diseases related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension through optometry practice that also plays a role together with ophthalmologists,” Dzulkefly said.
The health minister acknowledged that current control measures are limited to guidelines, with no direct enforcement power held by MOH over online cosmetic contact lens sales.
“At present, MOH has only been able to issue guidelines – there is no enforcement power – but the MDA, as the agency regulating medical devices, has the legal authority to act in enforcement,” he said, referring to the Medical Devices Authority (MDA).
MOH has issued the Guidelines for Online Sale of Optical Appliances and Contact Lenses since 2021, which permit online contact lens sales only by optometrists and opticians subject to certain terms and conditions. The guidelines, among others, also require businesses to display only contact lenses registered with the MDA.
Dzulkefly said eye complication cases linked to cosmetic contact lens use have been reported since 2007. He also disclosed that Malaysia currently has 3,458 registered optometrists and 3,609 registered opticians, bringing the total number of registered practitioners to 7,067.
Dzulkefly said MOH has conducted engagements with multiple stakeholders ahead of tabling the Bill, involving 12 optometrist and optician associations, eight higher education providers, nine industry representatives, one ministry, and one agency under MOH.
He added that the proposed law would also strengthen early detection of NCD-related eye conditions such as diabetes and hypertension at the primary care level through closer collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists.
