An undercover investigation by UK magazine Which? revealed one in four pairs of glasses purchased online failed experts’ tests, posing potential safety risks.
Glasses typically failed testing because measurements were too far off those that had been supplied or lenses were loose and could fall out or be easily rotated, according to the consumer magazine report. In total, 11 pairs of glasses drew criticism for poor construction, taking the low price into account, with varifocals deemed the riskiest to buy over the internet.
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) president Clive Marchant said the report highlights the reasons why patients should not use online companies to purchase spectacles or lenses and that it could end up costing more money in the long run if things go wrong. “Spectacles are first and foremost a medical device to aid patients’ visual needs and if the prescription within the lenses are not correct, or if the spectacles are not fitted correctly, then they are not fit for purpose.”
Posing as three different customers, the magazine ordered one pair of low-prescription single-vision glasses, one pair of high-prescription single-vision glasses and one pair of varifocals from nine online retailers popular with UK consumers. Assessed by independent experts, only three of nine stores provided acceptable glasses for every order submitted. The test included low cost specs (GBP£50 for single-vision glasses and up to GBP£120 for varifocals), as price is considered a key reason why people choose to buy online, said the report.
