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Schumer Calls For Changes In Eyeglass Rules To Aid Consumers

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Sen. Charles Schumer is calling on the Federal Trade Commission to update regulations on eyeglass prescriptions to create more competition in the industry, which he says would lead to better deals for consumers.

The New York Democrat said Sunday that the FTC, which is reviewing its regulations on eyeglasses, should require eyecare providers to give complete eyeglass prescription information to consumers. Schumer said consumers could then use this information to shop around for the best deals on glasses, including online.

Schumer is also calling for the FTC to require eyecare providers to verify information about a prescription to third-party sellers in a reasonable amount of time.

Schumer Calls For Changes In Eyeglass Rules To Aid Consumers

He added that the FTC should pass a rule mandating that the prescriptions last longer than one year, a move Schumer said would give consumers more time to shop.

Dr. Andrea Thau of the American Optometric Association showed up at the news conference asking if the senator could look into the control of the market that some eyeware companies have, including some insurance providers that also sell glasses, WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported.

"There's a lot of control within the industry that is almost a vertical monopoly," Thau said.

Schumer said he will investigate.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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