If you find it difficult to read the small print in the newspaper, this may be a sign that you are suffering from presbyopia.
Presbyopia is a condition commonly faced by people over the age of 40 as their eyes deteriorate in the ability to focus on close objects as a result of aging.
For those who are already wearing eyeglasses, a pair of progressive lenses may be an option without the hassle of alternating between different pairs of glasses for objects near and far.
Progressive lenses enable the wearer to focus on objects at different focal lengths: the upper part of the lens carries a prescription for far objects (approximately 1 metre and beyond), the middle part caters for objects at medium range (approximately 0.5 metre to 1 metre), and the bottom part for near vision (within approximately 0.5 metre).
To help consumers make better choices, the Consumer Council had collected information from providers of 12 different brands of progressive lenses and 8 optical stores where progressive eyeglasses packages are on offer.
The recommended price of a pair of progressive lenses from 12 different brands - comprising resin and glass lenses - ranges from HK$780 to HK$10,800. Most brands adopt one-year warranty period for the lenses, but scratched lenses are not covered.
And the cost of prescribing a pair of progressive eyeglasses (including frames and lenses) at 8 optical stores may vary as much as seven times from HK$370 to HK$2,780. Most provided a two-month warranty for prescription changes, with 4 to 12 month warranty period for the frames.
Apart from the prices, most spectacled consumers may also look for a pair of lenses that are thin and light. While they might get some idea of the thickness from a loose description of the lenses such as "ordinary lenses", "ultra thin lenses" or "ultra super thin lenses", consumers should ask the seller to state clearly on the receipt the refractive index of the lenses, which is a more precise description of the thickness of the lenses.
In general, the higher the refractive index, the thinner the lenses, and the dearer the prices.
The optical support provided by progressive lenses may sound very attractive but they have drawbacks.
Using progressive lenses may lead to eye fatigue and blurred vision for new users if they look at objects through the peripheral part of the lenses, which causes distortion as the area is beyond the progressive zone. Experts warned that it may also increase the risks of falls in elderly people who have yet to learn how to use them properly.
Progressive lenses may also not be suitable for those who need to do a lot of reading or work long hours at computer screen. They may consider choosing a pair of progressive lenses with prescriptions that focus on vision at medium and close range.
The Consumer Council received a total of 31 complaints regarding progressive lenses in 2009 and 2010, mostly about product quality and prescription problems.
In one case, a consumer felt dizzy and headache after wearing progressive lenses for a week. Complaining about blurred vision, the consumer eventually got a replacement of a new pair of frames following a series of frame adjustment and vision examination. But not for long, the consumer discovered that whenever she moved her head, the glasses tended to fall off. Four months later, when the consumer visited an optometrist for an eye checkup, she was told that there was a discrepancy between the measurements took by the clinic and that of the optical shop. The consumer later sought refund from the shop via Consumer Council but the store turned down the request. The shop only agreed to replace a new pair with the correct prescription for the consumer.
In another case, a consumer was dissatisfied that one of the lenses was broken into half when he tried to pick up the lenses for cleaning with diluted liquid soap. When he tried to ask the optical shop for a free replacement, he was rejected on the grounds that he had been forewarned about the fragility of the lenses, and that the damage was due to human error. The consumer later took his complaint to the Consumer Council, and the case was settled with the consumer getting a free replacement.
Consumers are advised to make their choices not solely on the basis of budget. They should also take into consideration the experience of the optometrist as well as their own needs and daily habit.
They are also reminded to take note of the warranty period and terms of coverage.
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