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Looking for a deal online Pangnirtung residents turn to the Internet for affordable spectacles
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 12, 2013
PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
Pangnirtung residents fed up with having to pay exorbitant prices for eye glasses have turned to the Internet for a much cheaper solution.
A group of them have begun ordering from online retailer Zenni Optical, a California-based company, which gets its glasses from Hong Kong.
The movement, which is growing in popularity in the small community, highlights a much larger issue.
Pangnirtungmiut sometimes have to wait up to two years for an eye exam, during which they can order from a limited selection of eye glasses. A good pair can often cost several hundred dollars.
Pangnirtung resident Daniel Kuluguqtuq said he turned to the Internet for help after taping and soldering his broken glasses for the last time.
"My glasses were getting too weak, so I tried setting up an appointment (for an eye exam) through the health centre," he said.
"Optometrists don't come here very often and I was having issues with my glasses. I couldn't afford to wait two years to get them repaired. Now, with a copy of our latest eye examinations, we can order glasses online in about two weeks."
He said glasses available from the visiting clinic are poor in quality, expensive and heavy.
Originally, Kuluguqtuq ordered from a Vancouver-based company, but realized he could get more for his money by going international. The glasses he orders range from $8 to $26 and shipping is as little as $10.
Because they're so inexpensive, he orders a new pair whenever he scratches a current one.
He's helped several other residents order glasses as well, including Deborah Qanatsiaq, who loves the convenience of it all.
"It's great for children, too, as they break as many as you order," she said.
"There are so many more affordable options available as opposed to the glasses they bring to the communities. I would suggest that those who have copies of their prescriptions order online. It's much faster and easier."
Just like ordering clothing from any online retailer, there is risk associated with ordering glasses without having tried them first, Kuluguqtuq said.
Fortunately, the website allows you to try them on virtually, by uploading a picture of your face.
The first few pairs he ordered were slightly too small for his face until he found out about the virtual helper.
Sheba Pikuyak, of Hall Beach, had ordered a second pair of glasses for more than $500 before switching to an online retailer. She ordered a pair of swimming goggles, too.
"It's always been hard to get proper dental care, hearing and eye exams," she said.
"Because of that, many Nunavummiut have had to make adjustments."
The practice of buying eye glasses from an online retailer doesn't come without risks, though.
A 2012 study by the School of Optometry at the Universite de Montreal concluded that 94 per cent of a random sampling of eyeglasses purchased online failed to comply with their reference criteria.
A spokesperson from Baffin Optical was unavailable to comment.
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