Health. The optician renews glasses: A device that is still not well known

Did you know you can get your glasses renewed at your optician directly? Opticians-eyewear makers have been authorized since 2007 to renew or adapt corrective lenses based upon a valid medical prescription. This is subject to doctor’s approval. This system was originally reserved for those over 16 years old, but was expanded to all citizens in October 2016.

The conclusions of the study with patients and ophthalmologists was presented by the French national union of ophthalmologists (SNOF), at a press briefing. In 2019, the first survey was already completed. However, since 2020, orthoptists are now able to renew or adapt prescriptions.

The survey found that 76% of patients have been informed by their opticians about the possibility of having their glasses renewed. This is 5% higher than in 2019.

Patients who live in areas where it is difficult to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist can be the most informed are the best. This is especially true for the Pays-de-Loire and Grand Est regions.

Most patients are informed by either their optician (51%), or their ophthalmologist (24%).

Patients are more informed than the optician, so it is possible for the device to be unanimous. Only 12% of patients were able to renew their glasses at the optician.

Only 41% of professional ophthalmologists think that renewing glasses at an optician’s office is a good idea. This is a sharp drop in support, as 81% of them were in favor in 2019. This measure is considered risky, ineffective, and useless by 45% of ophthalmologists. More than half of them believe that opticians lack the necessary training to perform renewals.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) of ophthalmologists believe that an orthoptist should replace their glasses. “This field return reveals interesting data, and encourages caution about the process of extending prerogatives other paramedical careers,” Dr. Thierry Bour, President at SNOF.

This measure’s unpopularity could be explained by the lack of coordination between opticians, ophthalmologists. 82% of the ophthalmologists who were questioned said that opticians don’t fulfill or barely fulfill their obligation to inform prescribers when corrective lenses with adaptation are being renewed. According to the SNOF this lack of communication “crystallizes mistrust towards this profession.” The union calls for the creation of professional rules for orthoptists, practitioners, and reforms in optician training.