[sencit]

I need new glasses and have just had an eye test in uk. Moving to Hong Kong in August.Does anybody know if glasses are better value for money in HK than UK? Sencit

[jimbo]

Yes they're much cheaper over here than in U.K.

Optical 88 is a good chain over here and well reccomended.

[Emuse]

I went to get a pair here and was completely shocked at the price. In the USA, a similar pair of rimless "frames" would cost 200+USD plus an additional 100USD for the thin type of lenses required with my prescription. Let's not forget that there is also an additonal 60-70 USD charge for the eye exam!

Imagine my suprise when I got a free eye exam, rimless frames for $250 HKD and only $100 HKD extra for the special lenses!

That's 8 times cheaper than in the USA! (also went to Optical 88)

[jayinhongkong]

DO NOT go to Optical 88, you'll get robbed. Sorry guys, but they charge very high prices compared to family-owned optical shops. I go to one in Sun Hung Kai Center. The prices are very fair and the guy speaks excellent English. Tell him big Indian Jay sent you and you might get a discount I know it sounds like an advertisement but I will seriously never buy glasses anywhere else. Got myself some rimless Dior sunglasses for about $2000 HKD...The frames alone are worth more than that. Recently had a pair of Cartier specs fitted with prescription lenses...rimless again..only cost me $320 for the lenses.

When I broke one of the lenses on my Diors I went to Optical 88 and I was quoted something like $500 for the lens (Transitions grey). My guy charged me about 1/2 of that ($260).

[jimbo]

Hmm well I paid little over $2000 for a pair of Calvin Kleins with thin lenses so I thought that was a bargain considering in U.K mine cost me 400 quid for the equivalent frame and lenses a few years back.

[jayinhongkong]

Optical 88 is definitely cheaper than the UK but if you go to a smaller retailer they can offer you a significantly lower price