Prescription Glasses At Reasonable Price In Bkk?

[impulse]

I just spent way too much money for a quick replacement of my lost reading glasses at the most common optical chain I've seen in LOS (name to go unmentioned). I planned on buying 3 pairs, including 2 pairs of progressives, but couldn't get over paying 3x as much as I spent in the USA for generic, prescription reading glasses. I paid the money only because I need them in a hurry. I can wait to get a better exam and/or better pricing for my next 2 pairs.

I searched the forum for "glasses" and came up with some threads that are several years old. Can anyone recommend, from personal experience, a good place to get glasses at a reasonable price- preferably near Asoke in Bangkok?

[kkerry]

Daiso discount stores. Reading glasses for 60 baht.

[PattayaParent]

All the malls here in Pattaya sell reading glasses for around 120 Baht. I'm guessing you can find the same in Bangkok.

As for the progresive lenses they're expensive in Thailand but 1/3rd of the price in Ha Noi where frames are more expensive than here.

[impulse]

Thanks for the input so far.

To be more clear, I have a high degree of astigmatism so off-the-shelf reading glasses are not useful. They have to be prescription, custom made.

Still, I can have them made in a discount optician in the USA for under $100 and paid 3x that this morning. Now I need a spare and some progressives (next generation bifocals) and hate to get gouged again. Seems like a whole month's Thai salary is a little ridiculous for non-designer glasses.

Edited October 17, 2011 by impulse

[wallswod]

I am also very interested in recommendations here.

Ha Noi = ?

[lopburi3]

I have bought by mail order from Zenni for myself and wife and they have arrived within a week (shipped from China). Mine was progressive with 1.67 lens w/sunglasses for about 3,000 baht and wife was bifocal at 1,300 baht

[impulse]

Lopburi, Thanks! I looked them up and that's my next step, once I get the prescription (wonder how fun that will, be?). For that, I'll probably go to one of the local hospitals for a proper eye exam. I don't mind paying the bucks, but I hate paying too much. In fairness, I have paid between $80 and $600 for glasses in the USA, depending mostly on where I bought them- and not really caring since insurance paid for them.

I configured mine on Zenni's website with progressive lenses, polarized sunglasses with memory (titanium) frames and it's still significantly less than half of what I paid locally for some generic frames with low Index lenses.

Worth a try even if they don't work out exactly, or don't work out at all. I'll post back when I have some kind of result- positive or ghastly....

[rak sa_ngop]

Lopburi, Thanks! I looked them up and that's my next step, once I get the prescription (wonder how fun that will, be?). For that, I'll probably go to one of the local hospitals for a proper eye exam. I don't mind paying the bucks, but I hate paying too much. In fairness, I have paid between $80 and $600 for glasses in the USA, depending mostly on where I bought them- and not really caring since insurance paid for them.

I configured mine on Zenni's website with progressive lenses, polarized sunglasses with memory (titanium) frames and it's still significantly less than half of what I paid locally for some generic frames with low Index lenses.

Worth a try even if they don't work out exactly, or don't work out at all. I'll post back when I have some kind of result- positive or ghastly....

Make sure you are comparing apples with apples. The price of progressive lens varies greatly depending on the thickness and quality of the material used. One optician chain in Pattaya (can't remember the name) showed me range of lenses available starting from about 3-4000 baht (thick plastic and poor side vision) to about 16,000 baht (thin, excellent all round vision, made in Germany). I made the mistake of getting a cheap progressive lens in MBK once, and had to pay the price of a more expensive lens a week later.

[outofoz]

I have bought by mail order from Zenni for myself and wife and they have arrived within a week (shipped from China). Mine was progressive with 1.67 lens w/sunglasses for about 3,000 baht and wife was bifocal at 1,300 baht

Lopburi, Thanks! I looked them up and that's my next step, once I get the prescription (wonder how fun that will, be?). For that, I'll probably go to one of the local hospitals for a proper eye exam. I don't mind paying the bucks, but I hate paying too much. In fairness, I have paid between $80 and $600 for glasses in the USA, depending mostly on where I bought them- and not really caring since insurance paid for them.

I configured mine on Zenni's website with progressive lenses, polarized sunglasses with memory (titanium) frames and it's still significantly less than half of what I paid locally for some generic frames with low Index lenses.

Worth a try even if they don't work out exactly, or don't work out at all. I'll post back when I have some kind of result- positive or ghastly....

@lopburi: Thanks for the Zenni tip... was looking at new frames and lenses myself..

@impule: be interested to hear how the lenses and sunglasses turn out...