Measure each place one result
Posing as customers going to measure refraction, we went to an optical store on Highway 50, District 8 (HCMC) and were guided by a male salesman to sit at the refraction measuring machine. After fumbling around with the machine for a while, the male salesman concluded: the left eye was nearsighted 3.50, the right eye was nearsighted 3.750 with astigmatism 0.250. The next step was for the salesman to ask us to read the alphabet with different sized lines hanging on the wall.
After a while of checking, the sales staff and technician of the optical store advised us to cut glasses with a power lower than the power displayed on the machine by 0.250. When it came to choosing frames and lenses, we were in a "maze" because there were all kinds and prices here, originating from many different countries and territories such as Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Germany... In particular, the lenses were introduced with many features such as anti-glare, anti-ultraviolet (UV), anti-blue light... with the cheapest price being 150,000 VND/lens. After only 15 minutes of waiting, a pair of myopia and astigmatism glasses was given to us with just these cursory checks.
With the same testing steps above, we were again concluded by the staff of another optical store on Le Dai Hanh Street (District 10, HCMC): myopia 30 in the left eye and 3.250 in the right eye, no astigmatism. Not satisfied with the measurement results, we continued to visit the optical store on Truong Dinh Street (District 3, HCMC) to check again. The store staff said that the right eye was nearsighted 4.50, the left eye was nearsighted 3.750 and requested glasses. When we questioned the results of the glasses measurement while our eyesight was stable and we had never worn glasses, the store staff assured us that the parameters were standard, the store's eye-measuring machine had been invested with billions of dong and was imported from abroad, so there was never any error!
According to statistics from the health sector, refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) are becoming more and more common in the community, especially among teenagers, with a prevalence of about 30% -40% nationwide. Along with that, the aging eye disease of the elderly also causes the need for prescription glasses to increase, leading to the emergence of more and more optical stores. In Ho Chi Minh City, it is not difficult to find an optical store with a prescription glasses sign, free eye measurements with modern vision measuring machines with many attractive promotions, discounts of 20%, 30%, even 50% all year round. There are streets with 3-4 optical stores, all of which are located at the front, at intersections with large signs, eye-catching colors, attracting the attention of passersby. However, the quality of glasses and the quality of eye technicians at these stores are still open questions.
Using the wrong glasses - big consequences
More than 2 months ago, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Hai (living in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City) took her daughter to have her eyes checked at an optical store on Le Hong Phong Street. The staff here concluded that Ms. Hai's daughter was nearsighted at 1.750 in her left eye and 1.50 in her right eye, along with advice that she should wear glasses to avoid increasing her nearsightedness. However, after wearing glasses for 2 days, her daughter felt a headache and dizziness. Ms. Hai took her daughter to Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital and was told by the doctors that her daughter was only mildly nearsighted and did not need to wear glasses. After that, the doctors instructed her daughter on how to take care of her eyes such as: using eye drops, massaging, practicing distance vision and supplementing with nutritious foods that are good for the eyes.
According to Dr. Pham Nguyen Huan, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, over the years, this unit has received many cases of refractive errors - both uncorrected refractive errors and wearing glasses but with the wrong prescription, poor quality glasses. The reasons are due to incorrect glasses measuring techniques and giving an inappropriate prescription; quality of lenses and frames; glasses grinding and fitting techniques; incorrect advice on using glasses. When wearing glasses that are not up to standard, health and spirit will be greatly affected. Vision after glasses adjustment does not reach the maximum level, forcing the eyes to self-regulate, creating continuous pressure on the eyes, causing the eyes to quickly become tired, overloaded, and over time can cause the eyes to increase in degree quickly.
Sunglasses are sold everywhere on the sidewalk.
Along with prescription glasses, many stalls selling cheap, floating glasses have appeared on the sidewalks and roadsides of Ho Chi Minh City. Among them, sunglasses are a popular item and are favored by many people, especially in the current hot weather. According to the reporter's records, at a "walking" radius selling point on Highway 1 (from Tan Thoi Hiep overpass to Ga Intersection, District 12), many types of glasses are sold, priced from only 40,000-200,000 VND/piece. According to the stall owner's introduction, the glasses here have very good sun protection and anti-glare effects; in addition, they also block UV rays, helping to protect the eyes when going out at noon.
BSCK2 Pham Nguyen Huan said that the purpose of sunglasses is to reduce the amount of strong light entering the eyes, helping to reduce glare and filter to minimize UV rays that are harmful to the internal structures of the eyes. Therefore, the quality of the lenses is very important, sunglasses are not simply colored glasses but also have indicators to measure the level of UV protection. These indicators require measuring equipment, the naked eye cannot see.
In particular, for children, early detection of refractive errors and wearing corrective glasses is very important to avoid amblyopia (also known as lazy eye). If the glasses are not the right size, this important "golden time" will be lost, no longer effective in correcting refraction, and there will be no opportunity for children to develop binocular vision. More seriously, wearing glasses incorrectly can cause children to have sore eyes, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, and limit physical activities, sports , and work. In the long term, wearing glasses with the wrong size will cause vision disorders in children.
To ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and your children, Dr. Pham Nguyen Huan recommends that people choose eyeglasses with a clear brand and origin, with labels, genuine stamps, product origin codes, and manufacturer's commitment. Use services such as vision testing, refraction measurement, prescription glasses, and refractive correction glasses, and glasses consultation at reputable establishments with well-trained staff and practice certificates issued by competent authorities.
People should also get their glasses cut according to the prescription issued in terms of power, center, frame size, etc. at reputable establishments, with quality as the top criterion. “If you use glasses for about a week and still feel tired, have headaches, or feel dizzy, you should return to the place where you made the glasses to have them checked and adjusted or go to an eye specialist for further examination,” noted Dr. Pham Nguyen Huan.
Management is… lax
According to an eye disease specialist, the service of testing vision, measuring refraction, prescribing glasses and providing glasses to correct refractive errors is a service regulated by the Ministry of Health in Circular 43/2013/TT-BYT, Decision 3906/QD-BYT in 2012 and Decision 5669/QD-BYT in 2021. According to the regulations, practitioners at optical service facilities must have a certificate of practice in the scope of ophthalmology or measuring and diagnosing refractive errors of the eye.
The person responsible for technical expertise for an optical service facility must have a medical degree or higher, be granted a certificate of practice in ophthalmology or measurement and diagnosis of refractive errors; and have at least 36 months of experience practicing ophthalmology at a medical examination and treatment facility or measurement and diagnosis of refractive errors at an optical service facility. However, in reality, for profit, many businesses have not properly implemented these regulations and management has been neglected and lax. This is the reason why prescriptions for eyeglasses are issued incorrectly, greatly affecting the eyesight and health of users.
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