Schumer: The Cost Of Eyewear Has Consumers Seeing Red; Feds Must Focus In On A Solution Before Prices Go Higher

Press Release

Standing at LensCrafters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to modernize its "Eyeglass Rule" to allow for 21st-century competition by allowing patients to obtain a full copy of their eyeglass prescriptions so they can take that prescription anywhere they want--even online. Under current law, patients are not entitled to their full prescription, a situation that often forces them to pay more when buying glasses. Schumer explained that, while more than 200 million Americans are affected by vision loss, the average price for a pair of eyeglasses is a whopping $300 with no end in sight. Glasses are becoming harder and harder for many Americans to afford. Schumer noted that eye care providers like ophthalmologists, opticians, optometrists and other eye technicians provide very important services to their patients, and often buying glasses on site can be a convenient and valuable service. However, current regulations limit competition; for example, they do not require eye doctors to provide complete prescriptions to patients or to verify prescription information to third party dispensers. Schumer went on to say that this omission can limit consumer choice and lead to higher prices. Given the high demand for eyeglasses, Schumer said that consumers should have the ability to shop around in search of a more affordable price and not be limited to the eyeglasses offered in the store where they get their eye exam. The FTC is currently reviewing the "Eyeglass Rule," and Schumer said that their update should require eye care providers to provide complete prescriptions to their patients and opens the door for more competition within the industry, while still protecting patient safety and providing for quality in eye care.

"Eyeglasses are a necessity for millions of Americans, yet sky-high prices are making them unaffordable. We need more oversight when it comes to the cost of eyeglasses and one way to do that is to require patients get their full prescriptions so they can shop around in stores and online for the best deal. Consumers need more options when it comes to eyeglasses and that's why the FTC should update the 'Eyeglass Rule' in a way that helps spur competition and dramatically lower prices," said Senator Schumer.

Schumer is pushing the FTC to consider the following changes in order to help lower the cost of eyeglasses, while ensuring that quality and patient safety is protected:

Require eye care providers to provide complete eyeglass prescription information to consumers, including specifics like pupillary distance, which is an essential--sometimes elusive--piece of information consumers need in order to shop around.

Require prescription providers to verify prescription info for third party sellers in a reasonable time, allowing a consumer to take their prescription wherever they desire with the confidence of getting the right eyeglasses for the right price.

Require eyeglass prescriptions to last longer than just one year, so consumers have more time to comparison shop.

Schumer said these key actions would help address both the prescription barriers consumers have been facing for years and the price-point spikes they continue to see. Additionally, Schumer said his push is being made to spur the FTC to recognize the increasing role of e-commerce in the eyeglass marketplace. Currently, there are eyeglass providers that exist in the online marketplace. Although many offer quality eyeglass--often at far less the cost--their barriers to entry in the eyeglass industry remain high due to the current hurdles Schumer is working to address. Schumer said eyeglass policy needs to be brought into the 21st Century and that means giving credible online retailers a chance to compete for business, which will help lower the costs for all. At the same time, the FTC must ensure that unscrupulous providers, many overseas, cannot take advantage of Americans need to save money on necessary eye care. Schumer says that buying glasses online should be as easy as anything else these days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vision loss is a serious public health issue that promises to worsen over the next three decades. Right now, more than 200 million Americans are affected by vision loss, and given the negative impact that poor vision can have on worker productivity, automobile safety, and school performance, Schumer said that eyeglass affordability is a critical consumer issue that affects the entire country. Despite the prevalence of eyeglasses in America, the average cost for a pair of eyeglasses is $300 and rising. Schumer said there are several reasons for the sky-high cost.

Luxoticca, an Italian company, which owns LensCrafters and more than 80 percent of eyewear brands. For instance, Luxoticca makes frames for well-known brands like Burberry, Prada, and Tory Burch. In addition, Luxoticca owns several other popular American eyeglass chains such as Pearle Vision, Sears Optical and Target Optical. Schumer explained that Luxoticca has a monopoly-like hold over the eyewear industry and that this push, along with other actions, could help weaken this hold. Additionally, many health plans do not adequately cover eye care, while forces patients to pay out of pocket.

Moreover, current regulations do not require eye doctors to provide complete prescription information to consumers or to verify prescription information to third party dispensers. The FTC is currently requesting public comment on its "Eyeglass Rule" and is soliciting comments about the efficiency, costs, benefits, and regulatory impact of the rule. Schumer said that, as part of this review, the FTC should make changes to the rule to ensure that consumers are given enough choice when it comes to purchasing eyewear. Schumer said that consumers should have the opportunity to shop around at stores and online for the best deal and one way to help ensure that would be for the FTC to require that eye care providers give complete prescription information to consumers.

Schumer is urging the FTC to make sure that the "Eyeglass Rule' continues to protect patient safety and ensure quality eye care, while considering adding three specific requirements. First, Schumer said the FTC should require complete prescription information for consumers, including the pupillary distance measurement. Second, Schumer said the FTC should require that optometrists require prescription information for third parties in a reasonable amount of time. Lastly, Schumer said the FTC should require that prescriptions not expire unduly quickly; right now, prescriptions expire after one year.

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