buying glasses in singapore

BillyB · Post by **BillyB** » Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:29 am

jdanthony77 wrote:Apparently, Singapore is one of the cheapest places in the world for optical care. This includes spectacle frames, lenses and contacts as well. This is second-hand information (I never got round to verifying it), but from personal experience (and that of others) this seems to be so.

Do bring your prescription with you if possible; most optical stores have in house eye checks, but from my experience they tend to over-prescribe (higher rating than necessary) and I ended up with some serious discomfort. Plus, back home you can have your eyes examined and obtain a prescription for free, no?

My wife buys contacts in bulk which they have to specially order for her, and apparently they're definitely a lot cheaper than back home in the UK.

Happy hunting!

They do say it makes you go blind............(this is gonna be lost on half the people reading this)

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Sat, 07 Jan 2012 9:27 am

BillyB wrote:
jdanthony77 wrote:Apparently, Singapore is one of the cheapest places in the world for optical care. This includes spectacle frames, lenses and contacts as well. This is second-hand information (I never got round to verifying it), but from personal experience (and that of others) this seems to be so.

Do bring your prescription with you if possible; most optical stores have in house eye checks, but from my experience they tend to over-prescribe (higher rating than necessary) and I ended up with some serious discomfort. Plus, back home you can have your eyes examined and obtain a prescription for free, no?

My wife buys contacts in bulk which they have to specially order for her, and apparently they're definitely a lot cheaper than back home in the UK.

Happy hunting!
They do say it makes you go blind............(this is gonna be lost on half the people reading this)

I suspect Masters from Very Famous Universities don't cover this in their curriculum

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Sat, 07 Jan 2012 9:31 am

BillyB wrote: They do say it makes you go blind............(this is gonna be lost on half the people reading this)

Bunter!

Stop fiddling with your shorts behind the bike-shed. Teacher has told you that will make your palms grow hairy!

poodlek · Post by **poodlek** » Wed, 11 Jan 2012 5:59 pm

Decent enough info for the future...as I was looking for sunglasses I didn't get an exam/prescription. I found a model that I liked at Sunglasses Hut but I wanted to find a better price (they were selling for S$355, when they cost US$200 overseas) but nobody else carried them. I didn't want to risk getting a counterfeit pair if I bought online, so I bit the bullet and got them from SH. Mr. K bought a pair also and they graciously gave us 30% off the second pair. My eyes are very happy now! I can't believe I went this long without using polarized lenses...it makes such a huge difference.

DennisChan · Post by **DennisChan** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:38 am

Just to share.

Been following an optician of mine for very long (>10years). From his days at nanyang optics to his own business. Find him reliable being able to provide advice and recommendations which never fails me (my specs were able to last long) with friendly service.

His shop name used to be Ben & Tony Optics. It has since been changed to J.A. Optics.

Cheers

kookaburrah · Post by **kookaburrah** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:17 am

Wait until you visit KL. Get them there. Cheaper, and better service.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:23 pm

ecureilx wrote:
jdanthony77 wrote:Apparently, Singapore is one of the cheapest places in the world for optical care. This includes spectacle frames, lenses and contacts as well. This is second-hand information (I never got round to verifying it), but from personal experience (and that of others) this seems to be so.
For glasses, Singapore is NOT the cheapest

My pair costs 500$ and it is not even top of the range .. just transition and HI, and a nikon frame ..

Just bought the wife glasses. S$90 for the exam and lenses, S$700 more for the frames

(Sadly I know she won't wear them if she doesn't like the frames though...) Anyway I'd say the price not counting frames is rather inexpensive.

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:11 pm

Being a cheapskate (hey, I'm being honest here), I rather cross over to JB, Malaysia and buy in bulk. Prescribed contact lens (I have problems with astigmatism), lens solution and even coloured contact lens.

Way way way cheaper.

Just for an idea, a bottle of B&L contact lens solution in Malaysia can cost MYR9 (with promotion of three-in-one pack), while the same stuff costs around SGD10 per bottle (even with pack promotion).

A pair of prescribed Biomedic toric contact lens (for astigmatism) costs about MYR40 per pair (monthly use) when purchased in pack of 6 lenses. While a pair of those with same prescription is almost the same price (with SGD currency).

Haven't tried getting a new pair of spectacles there but I'm contemplating to have one done by end of this year so will share about the price when I do. And I'm aiming for Tag Heuer soft anti-slip frames (saw my doctor cousin in UK having those). Will help me a lot with those stereomicroscopic work and also all that intense staring at little critters at work.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:18 pm

the lynx wrote:Being a cheapskate (hey, I'm being honest here), I rather cross over to JB, Malaysia and buy in bulk. Prescribed contact lens (I have problems with astigmatism), lens solution and even coloured contact lens.

Way way way cheaper.

Just for an idea, a bottle of B&L contact lens solution in Malaysia can cost MYR9 (with promotion of three-in-one pack), while the same stuff costs around SGD10 per bottle (even with pack promotion).

A pair of prescribed Biomedic toric contact lens (for astigmatism) costs about MYR15 per pair (monthly use) when purchased in pack of 3 pairs. While a pair of those with same prescription is almost the same price (with SGD currency).

Haven't tried getting a new pair of spectacles there but I'm contemplating to have one done by end of this year so will share about the price when I do. And I'm aiming for Tag Heuer soft anti-slip frames (saw my doctor cousin in UK having those). Will help me a lot with those stereomicroscopic work and also all that intense staring at little critters at work.

As naive as it sounds, i have no idea where to go or find anything in JB. not that I've ever tried though. Is there any decent only site to find where to go in JB for cheap crap? I suppose I'll drive there a bit once I pick up a car.

I'm wearing those Tags right now. For a reference point while shopping, they were USD$420 in the US with lenses.

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:28 pm

zzm9980 wrote:
the lynx wrote:Being a cheapskate (hey, I'm being honest here), I rather cross over to JB, Malaysia and buy in bulk. Prescribed contact lens (I have problems with astigmatism), lens solution and even coloured contact lens.

Way way way cheaper.

Just for an idea, a bottle of B&L contact lens solution in Malaysia can cost MYR9 (with promotion of three-in-one pack), while the same stuff costs around SGD10 per bottle (even with pack promotion).

A pair of prescribed Biomedic toric contact lens (for astigmatism) costs about MYR15 per pair (monthly use) when purchased in pack of 3 pairs. While a pair of those with same prescription is almost the same price (with SGD currency).

Haven't tried getting a new pair of spectacles there but I'm contemplating to have one done by end of this year so will share about the price when I do. And I'm aiming for Tag Heuer soft anti-slip frames (saw my doctor cousin in UK having those). Will help me a lot with those stereomicroscopic work and also all that intense staring at little critters at work.
As naive as it sounds, i have no idea where to go or find anything in JB. not that I've ever tried though. Is there any decent only site to find where to go in JB for cheap crap? I suppose I'll drive there a bit once I pick up a car.

I'm wearing those Tags right now. For a reference point while shopping, they were USD$420 in the US with lenses.

For what it's worth, I am familiar with JB - enough, driving-wise.

But now I no longer have a car so I make do with public transportation there in JB. But seriously, a lot of stuff (especially groceries and toiletry) is way cheaper over there and it even justifies the cost of travelling across Causeway. And it is even much cheaper if you know where to look at. And having a car helps especially if you are buying a lot in one trip.

Post by **nakatago** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:30 pm

ROADTRIP!

the lynx · Post by **the lynx** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:32 pm

zzm9980 wrote:I'm wearing those Tags right now. For a reference point while shopping, they were USD$420 in the US with lenses.

Fair enough, my cousin got hers at around GBP300 or less when she bought them.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 2:58 pm

nakatago wrote:ROADTRIP!

it's friday night
we love joy ride
we go causeway for fuuun....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUyfqOZKMtA

Grumpy77 · Post by **Grumpy77** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 5:07 pm

I buy all my specs at MBK in Bangkok. I find they are up to 50% off if you are not looking for designer name brands. 1 hr service and I've been happy with results for years.

If you are looking for a couple of pairs, the savings will pay for the flight and then you can have a great weekend of fun, frolic and frivolity.

I dare say it's a bit more fun than JB...

Post by **nakatago** » Fri, 09 Mar 2012 5:09 pm

FWIW, I got a pair here for around 100-ish dollars. The frame was hipster looking and of course branded who-the-hell-knows. Then again, I only wear them when I need to go on monster-debugging mode.

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