Getting prescription glasses
Meggie
5 days ago
I finally got some new prescription glasses for the first time in maybe a decade in Seoul this month!
Time was obviously long overdue. Based on my home country's insurance model for vision and high cost of uninsured vision care, I really needed new lenses!
For the sake of transparency and clarity, I'm going to share medical data that's personal, because I know how helpful it is to plan arouns your specific body's needs. I am nearsighted, with astigmatism in one eye. My prescription for each eye is different, and both aren't low power (my vision is considered pretty bad by many modern standards across continents). I typically wear contacts during the day and glasses only before bed, as I don't like how they feel. I buy monthly soft contact lenses, as they're cheaper and take up much less space than daily lenses.
I read posts, looked at Creatrip reviews, and saw many people posting on social media about their speedy success finding affordable glasses. I was optimistic to join their ranks!
I learned quickly how trendy brands are that make frames. Above is a particularly popular brand's storefront inside Incheon International Airport terminal, for reference at how experiential buying glasses frames can be in South Korea. Many people buy frames or bring frames separately to an optometrist or lenses shop, which then fits them into the frames.
I had more difficulty getting glasses than anyone's reviews I had stumbled across. I actually bought a Creatrip coupon for one major company, and went to the location in Seongsu for services. I was surprised to see just one person running everything- sales, exams, fittings, even making the lenses for glasses all alone. It made for a hectic environment, as they were so busy with tasks, even when only 4 people were inside the store.
After a half hour of waiting without my contact lenses in, I was told thay they couldn't make lenses for my prescription there. This was frustrating, as I showed the worked a prescription I'd received weeks ago in writing, before any process began. The worker was polite, apologetic, and deeply distracted.
I was able to successfully get a refund for the small reservation fee from Creatrip, so I can vouch for that process being effective.
Next, I tried a second company I'd seen locations for while traveling and also saw on Creatrip. I went to a large branch in Myeongdong, hoping for luck!
This location benefited from a tourist-area focus, with several floors! It was crazy busy, the most full and hectic environment I've been in to get glasses before. The staff were used to working quickly in various languages, and had a system to go through the processes together.
As I didn't bring pre-bought frames with me, I explored the options available. A couple of screens were around with automated graphics to help people pick out frames for their faces.
While I was definitely rushed throughout the start to finish process, I understood it would be this or nothing as my flight to leave Incheon was set two days away.
I picked some frames, picked some lenses, and they had neither in stock. So "same day" or "ready in an hour" wasn't an option even id I had brought my own frames to the shop. Thankfullythe set would be available next day anytime from 2pm onwards.
I came back the next day, enjoying the nice Seoul Tower view at the glasses shop intersection.
My combined lenses and glasses were $160 USD after the Creatrip discount and after tax refund for foreigners. This was for the most basic affordable frames available to purchase for adults and with the lowest level of lenses for sale. To me, this is not a big economic advantage or "steal", especially with influencers out there claiming to have spent $15 USD and walk out with prescription lenses and frames.
So far, I love my new glasses!
