Job Discussion Forums

[kosmo]

Hi there,
I am about to head over to Taiwan for a year or so and have a question about eye care.
Is getting an eye exam and purchasing new glasses/contacts fairy easy and inexpensive? Or do you suggest I bring a stock from home?
Also, is there any way that the above expenses would be covered under the health insurance I get with my school?
Any advice is greatly appreciated

[I_is_teach_English]

There are a large number of opticians here so that's no problem. I found that my eye test was free if I then purchased something in the opticians. Normally, when you go to the hospital or dentist (displaying the health card sign), there is a charge of NT$150. I'm guessing this probably applies to eye tests as well, but my optician waived the charge because I then bought something. (My dentist also doesn't charge me this NT$150, because I teach his kid. I had all my old fillings replaced (six visits) and have visited him every six months for check-ups since then.) You can get glasses on your health card, but obviously your range of styles is somewhat limited. More expensive and designer frames are all available as are a whole range of contact lenses (I use daily disposable contacts and pay NT$1,000 a month, about US$30). Find out if any of the parents in your school are opticians and you're likely to get a good deal ...

[dangerousapple]

Ask around and get someone to recommend an optician. Glasses and eye care in general are cheap here (compared to Canada anyway), but some shops will change your eye test to match what they currently have in stock, to ensure they make a sale.

I've never paid for an eye test either, but again, choose your optician carefully.

[atiff]

Dump glasses and contacts - get LASIK. I found the service to be excellent and have had no complaints since I had it done.