There is increasing concern amongst French opticians and ophthalmologists that the sale of eyeglasses online will result in serious accidents and long-term damage to the optical health in the country. Currently, cut price websites are selling eyeglasses, lenses and contacts without prescription for significant visual correction.
Visual health professionals are suggesting the danger that this poses for people who must wear glasses to drive, and that the prescription of corrective eyewear is the exclusive
domain of trained professionals. Thus, the concerns are two-fold, as the practice is damaging to business for opticians and ophthalmologists as well as to public health.
One site has sought the approval of French Social Security in order to provide cheap eyeglasses to those who are financially unable to get help for their vision through the traditional channels. A representative for the site claims they sell about 50 pairs of eyeglasses per day: A traditional optician sells about 3 pairs per day. We are responding to demand: there are about 3 million French people who cannot afford eyeglasses because they are simply too expensive.
By offering the same product for about one third the price, many of these sites are cashing in on the inefficient, overpriced supply chain set up by traditional optical retailers. Unfortunately, many are doing so without the best interests of their customers at heart. Leading opticians suggest that inappropriate choice of prescription eyewear can lead to headaches, migraines, dizziness, nausea and even severe eye strain or infection.
This is not to mention the public hazard cause by people suffering from these symptoms or, worse yet, those who cannot see at all due to improper diagnosis of their visual health. Having been made aware of the problem by concerned opticians from around the country, legislators and trading standards committees are currently working on a strategy that will regulate
domain name registration for eyeglass retailers and the sale of such medically sensitive objects online.
