Father warns of risks after daughter develops eye issues from online bargain on glasses

As online shopping gains popularity, a father has highlighted the significance of proper eyewear fitting after his secondary school daughter developed eye floaters from wearing cheap glasses purchased on Taobao.

The cost of bargain hunting

In an interview with Sing Tao Probe, the father -- surnamed Chan -- shared his 15-year-old daughter, Kiki -- who is nearsighted with a prescription of 5.5 diopters -- bought a pair of glasses marketed as a European brand from Taobao for around HK$500 last year. 

Unfortunately, Kiki soon experienced discomfort, blurred vision, and even noticed spots in her vision after wearing the glasses.

Chan recounted how he took Kiki to hospital during a trip to Guangzhou after her complaints about eye discomfort escalated. Following a medical examination, doctors diagnosed her with vitreous opacities, suspecting that the poor-quality eyeglasses were to blame. 

Chan expressed regret over buying the inexpensive glasses online and urged friends and family to avoid making the same mistake.

Once bitten, twice shy

In interviews with locals, most preferred purchasing glasses in Hong Kong. One interviewee, Kwan, noted that while the prices might be higher, the quality of glasses is guaranteed, which is extremely important for children.

Another student, named Chan, found online glasses unreliable, stressing that services in Hong Kong are more professional and offer better after-sales support.

Inexpensive vs high risks

Reports indicate that many glasses on Taobao are priced at least half less than those in Hong Kong, with some claiming to be glasses of European brands available for just 400 yuan. 

Without an eye test, customers need to provide their prescriptions and wait for about a week for their glasses when ordering online.

However, registered optometrist Anthony Kam Chung-keung pointed out the more rigorous fitting process in Hong Kong, which includes comprehensive eye exams, frame selection, and after-sales services -- the more to ensure the glasses fit the customer properly.

After examining Kiki's online glasses, Kam found the design wasn't suitable for Asian facial structures, particularly the integrated nose pads that could easily slop off, leading to discomfort. 

Since many Taobao glasses mimic European designs, they may not fit Asian children well and can lead to vision issues if not properly adjusted.

Julia Chan Yan-yu, an ophthalmology specialist at CUHK Medical Centre, highlighted inherent risks associated with online glasses purchases and fittings done on the mainland, citing the possibility of outdated prescriptions and a lack of strict quality control.

She also recommended the public, especially teenagers, have regular eye exams and choose qualified optometrists or ophthalmologists for fittings, emphasizing that skimping on quality can lead to greater eye issues.