Hidden health risk in reading glasses: Cheap spectacles can strain the eyes and make you feel dizzy . Glasses from high street chains have faults which can damage the eyes . Extreme side effects include double vision, a new study warns . Consumer group Which? tested 18 models from high street stores . Expensive £27.50 pair from Boots were no better than a £4 pair Picking up a pair of reading glasses on the high street probably seems like a far-sighted budget solution. But while they’re relatively cheap, ready-made glasses may come with a hidden health risk. They can potentially cause eye strain, dizziness and even double vision, according to an expert study. Consumer champions at Which? asked an optometrist to assess 18 pairs of ready-made reading glasses bought from high street chains. The magnification was correct across all the samples. But he noted other faults in eight pairs of glasses, including some from Boots and Superdrug. And the faults were not confined to the cheapest. The most expensive pair cost £27.50 from Boots – but they were no better than a £4 pair from a chain called Tiger. A spokesman for Which? said: ‘Buying ready-made reading glasses may be easy on your wallet, but our snapshot investigation shows that some could put your eyes under too much strain. ‘The faults we found could cause symptoms in the wearer, from headaches to eye strain, slight dizziness and even double vision.’ The consumer group said the research findings make it difficult to recommend a particular brand or retailer. Rather, it said buyers should look out for glasses protected by packaging which show no evidence of dents or scratches. It said: ‘Make sure the frame is marked with industry standard markings such as CE. Ensure the frame fits comfortably and try them out. You should be able to read easily for two minutes. ‘If you buy them from an optician, ask for the lenses’ power and centre positions to be checked.’ Which? also advised buying pairs which have a spring hinge and to go for plastic frames rather than cheap and thin metal, which can break. By SEAN POULTER Dailymail
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 15:08:22 +0000
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