Korean Job Discussion Forums

frankly speaking · Joined: 23 Oct 2005

Where in Seoul area is the cheapest place to buy prescription glasses? I went to some shops at everything was 50,000 or more just for the frames. I got my last frames for 15,000 won but that was in Daejon. I don't want to go all the way down there to find something reasonable.

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

http://www.39dollarglasses.com/

They'll get here in less than two weeks.

You're a fool to pay $350 for glasses. LASIK costs like $2k

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I got glasses recently. The frames were 35 000, the lenses were 70 000, and the eye exam was free. That was a normal place. There are probably places you can go that are much cheaper.

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

ChopChaeJoe · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Location: Seoul

At emart they have frames for 10,000, lenses are what - 30,000?

Omkara · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: USA

Yeah, glasses and contacts are super cheap in Korea. I got a pair when I was there last. But, I couldn't find a style I liked much. And the fit turned out to be bad.

In the States, a decent pair of frames are about $150. The lenses are about that, too. I spent about $200 since this pair fit so much better.

I chose to get a pair here since the language barrier is not a problem and I can ask questions and get clear answers.

desultude · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

ok then, check out the site I posted, you can get scratch resistant titanium trifolds for less than what this guy paid.

Zoot · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Location: Bundang

Check out Myeong-dong. There's an underground shopping arcade with a thousand different frames. I've bought 2 pairs for 45,000won and another pair for 85,000 won, all inclusive. Contacts are also super cheap - I've gotten a pair for 20,000.

Good luck!

Yaya · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

Namdaemun Market is considered Korea's haven for eyeglasses, as hordes of shops compete for business. Many have staff fluent in English as well as Japanese.

Optical shops around universities are also quite cheap.

Oreovictim · Joined: 23 Aug 2006

Glasses in Korea are cheap so count your blessings. I had an awesome insurance package at my last job in America. But when I'd get glasses, I'd still owe about $350.00

Although glasses are cheap in Korea, try not to get REALLY cheap ones. Haven't you ever heard the term "child molester glasses"? They're those big, tinted cheap-looking glasses.