Many blind to the risks of contact lenses

"For a more comfortable feeling, I'd choose a pair priced at more than 60 yuan," she said. "There are cheaper ones, though 30 to 40 yuan. Don't worry, the quality is also OK."

Of course, it is not something she can really guarantee. The packaging for a mid-price pair she handed over as an example was all in Korean and carried no stamp to show it had cleared the Chinese quality supervision authority.

Even optometrist stores do not require a medical checkup before they sell cosmetic lenses, which can also be made to order for shortsighted people.

As Zhang was making her pitch, Xu Yuan, a regular customer, arrived and ordered five pairs of gray and purple lenses. She has been wearing them for about 10 hours a day for the past year.

"I didn't have an eye test (before wearing cosmetic lenses)," said the 20-year-old saleswoman, who also works in Mingzhu mall. "I think they are safe, as I haven't suffered any severe problems. If I feel uncomfortable, I just take them out and let my eyes have a rest for a day or two."

Shortsighted fashion

Cosmetic contact lenses may get harder to come by for shoppers like Xu in the coming months.

According to a statement by the State Food and Drug Administration on Jan 19, the fashion accessories have been re-classified as "medical apparatus", the same as corrective lenses.

The decision, made after medical professionals raised concerns over health and safety, means products entering the Chinese market will be subject to regulation.

A female customer tries out a cosmetic contact lens at a store in Chaoyang district, Beijing. The lenses, which can entirely change the color of the wearer's eyes, have been popular among young Chinese people for several years. However, the quality of the products varies radically. Pairs are available online for just 28 yuan. Wang Jing / China Daily