Coronavirus: can you still have your glasses repaired?

Your broken glasses can be repaired despite the confinement. The opticians of France are launching an on-call system to respond to emergencies. Everyone will be able to use it but certain people will benefit from priority such as caregivers or people providing a service, such as a truck driver for example.

A site to find an open optician

To find an optician near you, a site has been created: Optician emergency. Almost all the departments are integrated into this system, which should allow access to at least one optician one morning a week, between 9 am and 1 pm. The optical professionals will receive customers one by one. Before moving, it is mandatory to make an appointment, for it to be honored, you must justify the urgency, present a prescription and an identity document. Maintaining activity requires redoubled vigilance: opticians will not be able to accommodate more than five people per day and will have to meticulously disinfect frames, lenses and all equipment.

No contact lenses

There is no question of making an appointment to renew a pair of sunglasses, but all emergency situations will be taken care of: frame or broken glass or a major correction change. On the other hand, it is not recommended for opticians to perform contactology, that is to say to issue contact lenses and the associated hygiene products. The Covid-19 epidemic multiplies the risks associated with their handling. It is also possible to suffer from conjunctivitis, which is more complicated to treat in this situation. Opticians recommend that patients prefer eyeglasses to contact lenses.

How long can they last?

Opticians are among the businesses authorized to open during the confinement period, but the National Federation of Opticians of France, SYNOM and the Rassemblement des opticiens de France have decided to organize themselves to maintain their activity under satisfactory security conditions. The minimum service proposal has been validated by the Ministry of Health. Today, the sector has enough equipment to ensure custody, but if the situation lasts, the stock of masks will be insufficient. The unions fear that they will not be able to continue to respond to emergencies beyond two weeks, for lack of protective equipment. A request for equipment has been submitted to the government.

Seven hundred opticians asked to integrate this system but only 350 were accepted. The others were not sufficiently equipped to maintain their activity: they did not have masks, gloves or hydroalcoholic gel. Other professionals are expected to volunteer and join this on-call system in the coming days.