Background
By law, French opticians are required to offer free glasses to their customers, with the price of the medical equipment being taken care by the Social Security. Many opticians have taken advantage of this law by advertising "glasses for free" offers that are not really free and where customers have to chip in.
The French Health Department estimates that up to 17% of French people, especially those with lower-income, avoid getting new prescription glasses because of the cost, that amounts to 300€ for regular glasses and 600€ for glasses with progressive lenses.
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