Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

Hey all

maybe this topic already exists but I did a quick search and didn't find any recent threads

I am on vacation in the states and need to get another eye exam. I can wait until I get back to Korea but I wondered which would be cheaper? I have no insurance in the U.S. obviously and would be paying close to $300 for the exam not including the frames and lenses or contacts.

Any other Americans care to weigh in here?

[cruisemonkey]

When you get glasses in K-land the eye exam is 'free' - included in the price of your frames and lenses. However, in a sense, you get what you pay for - the exam is performed by an optician who is probably not an optometest and certainly not an opthamologist (eye doctor).

It's fine if all you need are glasses/contacts... but the examiner won't 'pick up' on any diseases manifesting symptoms that would be recognized by a 'real' eye doctor.

[polonius]

I believe they are fairly cheap here on the ROK. If it is because you want to go find out what presription glasses you will need, you can do that at most glasses stores. Plus the glasses here are ALOT cheaper than in the US or Canada.

[Misera]

I was able to get my hard contacts and a full eye exam at St. Mary's eye clinic in Guri (near the station) for 150k total. Hard contacts usually cost me 200$ back at home with a regular brand, these 150k are Hoya contact lens (very good Japanese brand). Though I think it's around 180k normally at the clinic.. I went with a friend of one of the doctors there so I got a discount.. The clinic is very good for LASIK as well in case you want that (don't know the price though). The eye exam included all the normal stuff: machine to check prescription (the focusing thing), eye dilation (wasn't very unconfortable, didn't last long), one person checking vision manually and fitting contacts, and then one of the head doctors doing a recheck for fitting, diseases, etc. BUT.. they don't do glasses. They can give you the prescription for glasses and you can go elsewhere to any glasses store and buy them yourself that way.

[Snowkr]

thanks everyone.
I don't really want a comprehensive eye exam. I paid over 200 USD for one last summer and nothing has changed, I'm sure. I just want new glasses because mine broke recently.

I will check into the place in Guri city. I know where that is. Also, my city of Cheongju probably has a decent place for that as well. I just wanted to compare prices.


thanks again!

[KYC]

Most places in Seoul will charge 20-30,000 won to fill eye glasses. The exam is always free.

For contacts, I think it's cheaper at home...but at home you always need to get an eye exam (that's how they rip you off). Here you can walk in and get a pair and be out in less than 5 mins.

[alphakennyone]

If you're in the states, just try zennioptical.com if you have all your prescription info. They're probably not the highest quality, but since I only need glasses occasionally, the dirt cheap prices fit the bill for me.

Just need to wait a week or two. Get 2 normal pairs and 2 sunglasses for the price of one.

I couldn't find any wide enough frames when I was in Korea.

[OnTheOtherSide]

Everything is more expensive in the US basically.

[benji1422]

optometry is yet another evil scam by the medical industry and your trip to the optemetrist in korea will confirms that this aspect medical professional in the U.S. is a semi-fraud (did you know its ILLEGAL to sell glasses./contacts w/o a $150+ eye-checkup?). Basically 90% of the time, the guy looks through a machine which shoots a laser in your eye and a computer read out prescription appears. That is what you pay $150-200 for.The rest of the stuff, the eye chart, etc. can be done by a minimally trained employee. In Korea the eye exam is totally free and you can get it anywhere - I got my lenses at Dongdaemoon. Unless you have major eye problems you can fill your glasses/contacts every time this way, with a minimum of hassle (note; real eye problems/bad astigmatism you will need to see a doctor). Moreover, if you need to refill contacts, you just give them the number on the box or bring the box to them (again LOL that in the US this is illegal). The prices are cheap unless you get designer frames... and you might want to if you are a guy since every dude in Korea has the same tortise shell eye-glasses. The prices for contact lenses are equal to ordered from 1800 contacts.

Pretty much any minor medical care (dentists, eye glasses, check ups) should be done in Korea because its cheaper and less hassle even w/o insurance except for major serious diseases, cancer, major surgery (except plastic. Korea is cheaper and better).

[Snowkr]

thanks! Definitely plan to take care of this back in Korea now.

Love ROK!!