Korean Job Discussion Forums

kchax · Joined: 01 Dec 2006

How much does eyeglasses cost in Korea? presciption? lens? frames? the whole package?

it's a bit costly in the States.. so I was wondering whether getting it in Korea would be cheaper.

any help would be appreciated!

rednblack · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Location: In a quiet place

Hi Kchax.
My wife had an eye test about 2 years ago. This was free. She then chose frames, and had the lenses fitted. All for 150,000 won (about US $160, at the time). I doubt the price has radically changed. Not too bad! Maybe some posters have more up to date prices?

plutodog18 · Joined: 01 Feb 2007

kchax

I do not know where you are from in the USA and unless you MUST have the latest priciest designer lenses, the cost for glasses in the USA is not that bad.

Most department stores, Sears, Boscovs, JC Penney (and others I am sure) are doing lenses with a choice of over 150 frames for $99, which includes the eye exam AND even bifocal lenses.

Once or twice a year Sears will better this with 2 pair for $99 (everything above included). Competition seems to fierce for these services.

Good luck.

jaderedux · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Lurking outside Seoul

I just got 1 pair of lenes replaced and a new pair of prescription sunglasses. 80,000 won the exam was free.

I don't know about special bifocal lenes. but I imagine they are cheaper here too.

Plan on spending a max 50,000 unless you really go with designer high end la de da lenes.

Jade

Cerebroden · Joined: 27 Dec 2006

39dollarglasses.com
takes about a week

Chamchiman · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Digging the Grave

Glasses do seem a little cheaper here, no matter which end of the price spectrum you're at.

I bought my glasses (Alain Mikli) here two years ago. They were 350,000 for frames and lenses. The frames alone were $495 in the States. I usually ask my (Korean) coworkers how much they paid for their new glasses, and often they'll end up paying in the 80-120,000 range for frames and lenses.

(By the way, spend double...no, triple what my coworkers spend. You've got the money, and they're on your face for god's sake! People tend to notice them!)

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

This is a bit off-topic, but the thread title jogged my memory, I've wanted to blurt this out for some time, and this may be my only chance.

A girl who used to work with me, Korean, was given a 350,000 won pair of sunglasses (Christian Dior, as I recall) from her then-boyfriend. Much was made of this by the other girls in the office, how lucky she is, what a nice boyfriend she's got, etc.

Well, she had been planning on breaking up with this fellow, but when she got the sunglasses she decided to wait a week before she dumped him. She figured that would make it harder for him to ask for them back. None of the other girls saw this as unduly conniving or deceitful. No, they all thought it was pretty good strategy.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

I went to Davich (sp?) in Bundang last spring and got frames and lenses for about 150,000 won, with a free exam. My prescription is -12, so that's why the lenses were so expensive (plus, they had to order them). That package---frames and lenses---routinely costs between $300 and $400 (sometimes more) in the US, so I was pleased.

Just a word of caution. I have an astigmatism that affects my vision. When I get contacts or glasses in the states they account for it. The glasses I got at Davich didn't account for it, though, which can be a problem for some people. My eyes are so bad that it wasn't a huge deal, although I've encountered more problems with distances than I'd like. This year I brought the prescription form with me from home, so if I need lenses I'll show it to them to make sure I get what I need.

ella · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Is that typical, they don't account for astigmatism (I have it in both eyes)? That would drive me crazy.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

Well, it was a free, 5 minute eye exam. It only involved eye charts. They didn't dialate my eyes, didn't check for glaucoma (sp?), or the normal things my doctor does back home. I'm not sure if they have to check for an astigmatism, or if it is obvious from eye charts. Either way, if I do it again I'll have the prescription from home, and I'll make sure they know what to do with my astigmatism (I have two, also).

europe2seoul · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Location: Seoul, Korea

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

The cheapest place for glasses is Namdaemun market in Seoul. I've heard that many foreigner Asians (especially from Japan) shop there as well as locals.

My progressive lenses (made in Japan) with Italian designer frames cost 180,000 won, while the same would have cost about $275. in the U.S.

Korean-made lenses are considerably cheaper than the Japanese (but not as good) while German-made lenses are considerably more expensive (and presumably the best...)

Novernae · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

I got a throough eye exam plus my glasses for 100,000 won.

And it is a LOT cheaper here then in the US. Especially if your eyes are really bad. In the US, you gotta pay up the wazoo for "thin" or "featherweight" lens so that you don't look like you are wearing coke bottles for lenses.

Well, internet sites in the US are cheap, but you don't have the luxury of trying on the frams to see which will look good on your face.

My last pair of glasses in the US ran me about $200. The lenses got a little scratched up due to normal uage so I asked how much to get replaced and I got quoted $150 in the US.