The Optometry Council of Tanzania has cautioned informal eyeglass vendors in Mbeya against selling spectacles without authorization, stressing that such practices endanger public health.
The warning was issued on August 18, 2025, at Kabwe Market during an outreach exercise led by the Council’s Registrar, Mr. Sebastiano Millanzi. The inspection revealed that several traders without optometry training have been selling eyeglasses alongside beauty products, bypassing health regulations.
Mr. Millanzi said spectacles are a form of medical treatment and cannot be treated as ordinary consumer goods.
He stressed that selling glasses without testing users’ vision could cause eye damage or worsen existing conditions. “Lack of knowledge of the law is not an excuse to break it.
From today, you are required to stop selling eyeglasses until you complete the proper registration procedures with the Council, beginning with approval from the City Medical Officer,” he said.
The Optometry Act, Chapter 23, requires all eyeglass sellers to be formally registered before engaging in the trade. According to Mr. Millanzi, compliance with this law not only protects consumers but also raises professional standards in eye health services.
The vendors acknowledged that they had been operating without awareness of the law and pledged to follow the registration process. They also promised to act as ambassadors in promoting safe eye care within their communities.
Mr. Millanzi directed local government authorities to strengthen regular joint inspections and provide continuous education to the public.
He emphasized that safeguarding vision is critical to overall health and productivity, urging authorities not to treat eye care as a minor issue.
The supervision exercise was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Health through the Optometry Council, in collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), Mbeya Regional Authorities, and Mbeya City Council.