Opticians: ‘Cut-price glasses plan not feasible’

Opticians say it is impossible to offer a choice of glasses at the capped prices proposed by the government as part of its promise to ensure good quality glasses are available to all and fully-reimbursed by social security and mutuelles by 2022.

They say this is especially the case if they are to be French and offer anti-reflective coatings and varifocal lenses. What is more it is planned to make glasses reimbursable only every two years instead of annually, meaning fewer may be sold. An agreement must be reached this month.

Consumer body UFC-Que Choisir denied the claims, saying French glasses have an average mark up of 233% and are Europe’s costliest.