Consumer Council warn about ready-to-wear glasses

After testing various models of readymade reading glasses, the Consumer Council has found that most models lack necessary labelling.

The Council also compared a number of pet insurance plans, finding that they now include more premiums similar to human health insurance.

Ready-to-wear glasses don't require prescriptions and can be easily found at retail outlets and street stalls. Despite the convenience, the Council advises people to be more careful. Prices of the 17 models ranged from eight to 490 dollars. Among them, 10 models did not clearly indicate pupillary distance {PD} or optical centre distance , which may cause eye strain from prolonged use.

ALAINA SHUM,CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CONSUMER COUNCIL: “Any discrepancy between the wearer's PD against the OCD of the lenses, it will create undesirable prismatic effect, which may lead to discomfort of the eye. If it becomes worse, it will create double vision for the wearers.”

The Council advises people to visit registered eye care professionals for the best treatment. Meanwhile, a week after the implementation of pet-friendly dining establishments, the Council reviewed 24 pet insurance plans, 19 of which include third-party coverage.

Third-party liability covers injuries, fatalities, or property damage caused by a pet to others. However, it doesn't cover complaints, disputes, or matters involving nuisance, noise, or fright. If a pet is aggressive and the owner fails to take reasonable safety measures like using a leash, the insurance company may also refuse compensation.

Pet insurance plans have recently added coverage such as diagnostic imaging, higher coverage, and cash benefits. These are optional premiums, however, which vary based on pets'ages and breeds, usually requiring price surcharges beyond customers' basic coverage.

ALAINA SHUM: “Some consumers discovered that insurance companies had automatically renewed policies annually and charged their credit cards without clear prior notification. For example, some companies still require customers to pay the remaining premium surcharge after their pet's passing.”

Pet owners should pay close attention to insurance policy details in case of changes to plans based on age and other factors.