Buying Eyes Glasses in India

sannna · Apr 25th, 2008, 16:31

Read all the post and became confused: is the general message suddenly not to buy glasses in India?

Well, I would recommend it. I bought my glasses here in Lucknow a couple of weeks back and I am really satisfied with them. I usually wear (hard) contact lenses, but with all the dust and the strong sun rays it became impossible. My husband bought glasses to use in bed for reading.

We sort of walked into the first shop we saw (in the area where all the opticians are) and picked the one with the nicest sign outside and the cleanest floors. I don't know why.. It was a good pick. Within an hour or so we had found frames we like, had our eyes tested (with the computer thing with the air balloon that we have back home as well and with the old fashioned glasses where you read the ABC)and were told that it would only take a few days before we could pick them up. I choose the thinnest plastic glasses, my husband almost the cheapest glass glasses (as he will only wear his inside the house).

I paid:
Glasses: 1450 Rs and Frame: 3200 Rs. Total: 4650 Rs

My husband paid:
Glasses: 850 Rs and Frame: 1850 Rs. Total: 2700 Rs

The first few days it took me some time to get used to the glasses and it was hard to shift from reading to looking far away. After a couiple of days, my eyes got used to that. And I have hardly worn my contacts anymore.

So, don't worry if you don't have your prescription.

The shop where I bought mine: ABC Kashmirwallah in Qaiserbagh, Lucknow.

Taltul · Apr 25th, 2008, 17:32

i was just thinking about buying glasses as well while in India. Thing is, we would probably spend most our time in Manali, Rishikesh and Leh. Anyone can recommend good opticians in any of those places?

Nick-H · Apr 25th, 2008, 17:40

Just been to a small opticians shop today. Mrs N had some lenses transfered from a broken frame to a new frame. All the big shops said they wouldn't fit, but the small-shop man said, no trouble; ready tomorrow. And they were. He's going to have to go at the lenses I had trouble with, as well --- if I can find them now!

machadinha · Apr 25th, 2008, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taltul

Thing is, we would probably spend most our time in Manali, Rishikesh and Leh.

I'd be very surprised if you wouldn't find some decent opticians in any of these. Just scout around, it really shouldn't be a problem I think.

Taltul · Apr 25th, 2008, 20:47

Great! that's very good to know, thank you

camelgirl · Apr 25th, 2008, 22:34

I'm so glad you resurrected this thread which I started almost 3 years ago! I've had glasses made twice in India and despite not being happy with my last purchase, I will definitely do it again. Hopefully, the end of this year or beginning of 2009. This time I won't make the mistake of not asking to see what their ultra thin lenses look like BEFORE I order them.

Taltul · Apr 26th, 2008, 05:01

OK then, I'll try as well not to do your mistake...

rubsen · May 2nd, 2008, 12:48

Finally i have new sunglasses

But i can not recommend Optical Palace in Connaught Place.
First they just showed me the most expensive frames, second they didnt seem to have much knowledge. Many frames were obviously for women and they told me that for my favourite frames it would not be possible to produce lenses with my strength (which was bullshit).

Medikos in Paharganj was much better but i didnt find a frame i like. Finally i went to Bonton and bought a pair there.

himmat01 · May 2nd, 2008, 13:18

I have made one observation about these 'transition' lenses, They seem to work better at lower temperatures. I had been using them in BOM for ages, they did become dark in the sunlight but not really that dark.

During my visit to NZ, in mid October when the day time temperature was 10-12 degrees Celcius, the lense turned very dark, almost like a sunglass. I had a similar experience in DEL in January this year.

Has anybody else experienced this?

Nick-H · May 2nd, 2008, 13:36

Is 37C warm enough? Mine are working fine!

Actually that particular lens gets used as bed-time reading glass these days, so they haven't seen the sun for ages. I just took them in the garden to test and they went dark very quickly.

It is the UV, I think, that causes the reaction --- but should be plenty of that in Mumbai!

brownboy66 · May 2nd, 2008, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by himmat01

During my visit to NZ, in mid October when the day time temperature was 10-12 degrees Celcius, the lense turned very dark, almost like a sunglass. I had a similar experience in DEL in January this year.

as nick said - more likely to do with the UV then the temp. Given the almost complete absence of haze in NZ (not to mention ozone depletion in the past) - UV strength in NZ is very high. During summer 10 minutes out in the sun and you will start to burn.

machadinha · May 2nd, 2008, 18:14

I've found if anything my day & night glasses produced in (northern) India tend to react much more strongly than those you get in Europe, and take longer to adjust back to normal. Makes stepping from the sunlight into the loo something of an adventure, kind of like stepping into a black hole

camelgirl · May 3rd, 2008, 09:39

I wear my transition glasses year round and in the winter cold in bright sunlight they get practically black! But in summer they never get that dark. I think the temperature definitely has some effect. And forget wearing a hat that blocks the sun (which I do in summer)--they barely get dark. I have separate very dark sunglasses for the sunny summer days that I always keep ready

.

Nick-H · May 3rd, 2008, 09:57

Photo-chromic lenses of different types vary in their reactions. I think I'm right in saying that 'Transitions' is, in this respect, a trade name. I'm fairly sure (but they are about two years old) that the lenses I posted about yesterday are 'Transitions'; they not only darkened very quickly, but also returned to almost-clear soon after I brought them back into the house. Other lenses I have had have been very slow to lighten-up again.

Camelgirl, there may well be more UV light passing through your clear, cold winter air than through your summer air?

camelgirl · May 4th, 2008, 03:56

This seems to clear up the confusion about cold/dark; warm/not so dark. Particularly, the last paragraph.

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-Do-Photo...00000343449 7

I knew it wasn't just the UV light because there is much more UV in summer (when they don't get very dark). In winter, it can be barely sunny & they go very dark.

Apr 25th, 2008, 17:40	#108
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	Just been to a small opticians shop today. Mrs N had some lenses transfered from a broken frame to a new frame. All the big shops said they wouldn't fit, but the small-shop man said, no trouble; ready tomorrow. And they were. He's going to have to go at the lenses I had trouble with, as well --- if I can find them now! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 25th, 2008, 22:34	#111
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,031	I'm so glad you resurrected this thread which I started almost 3 years ago! I've had glasses made twice in India and despite not being happy with my last purchase, I will definitely do it again. Hopefully, the end of this year or beginning of 2009. This time I won't make the mistake of not asking to see what their ultra thin lenses look like BEFORE I order them. __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

May 2nd, 2008, 13:18	#114
himmat01 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Posts: 112	I have made one observation about these 'transition' lenses, They seem to work better at lower temperatures. I had been using them in BOM for ages, they did become dark in the sunlight but not really that dark. During my visit to NZ, in mid October when the day time temperature was 10-12 degrees Celcius, the lense turned very dark, almost like a sunglass. I had a similar experience in DEL in January this year. Has anybody else experienced this? __________________ http://www.airliners-india.net/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/himmat/

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Apr 25th, 2008, 16:31	#106
sannna Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bombay Posts: 263	Read all the post and became confused: is the general message suddenly not to buy glasses in India? Well, I would recommend it. I bought my glasses here in Lucknow a couple of weeks back and I am really satisfied with them. I usually wear (hard) contact lenses, but with all the dust and the strong sun rays it became impossible. My husband bought glasses to use in bed for reading. We sort of walked into the first shop we saw (in the area where all the opticians are) and picked the one with the nicest sign outside and the cleanest floors. I don't know why.. It was a good pick. Within an hour or so we had found frames we like, had our eyes tested (with the computer thing with the air balloon that we have back home as well and with the old fashioned glasses where you read the ABC)and were told that it would only take a few days before we could pick them up. I choose the thinnest plastic glasses, my husband almost the cheapest glass glasses (as he will only wear his inside the house). I paid: Glasses: 1450 Rs and Frame: 3200 Rs. Total: 4650 Rs My husband paid: Glasses: 850 Rs and Frame: 1850 Rs. Total: 2700 Rs The first few days it took me some time to get used to the glasses and it was hard to shift from reading to looking far away. After a couiple of days, my eyes got used to that. And I have hardly worn my contacts anymore. So, don't worry if you don't have your prescription. The shop where I bought mine: ABC Kashmirwallah in Qaiserbagh, Lucknow.

Apr 25th, 2008, 17:32	#107
Taltul Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Israel Posts: 11	i was just thinking about buying glasses as well while in India. Thing is, we would probably spend most our time in Manali, Rishikesh and Leh. Anyone can recommend good opticians in any of those places?

Apr 25th, 2008, 20:47	#110
Taltul Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Israel Posts: 11	Great! that's very good to know, thank you

Apr 26th, 2008, 05:01	#112
Taltul Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Israel Posts: 11	OK then, I'll try as well not to do your mistake...

May 2nd, 2008, 12:48	#113
rubsen Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 38	Finally i have new sunglasses But i can not recommend Optical Palace in Connaught Place. First they just showed me the most expensive frames, second they didnt seem to have much knowledge. Many frames were obviously for women and they told me that for my favourite frames it would not be possible to produce lenses with my strength (which was bullshit). Medikos in Paharganj was much better but i didnt find a frame i like. Finally i went to Bonton and bought a pair there.

May 2nd, 2008, 13:36	#115
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	Is 37C warm enough? Mine are working fine! Actually that particular lens gets used as bed-time reading glass these days, so they haven't seen the sun for ages. I just took them in the garden to test and they went dark very quickly. It is the UV, I think, that causes the reaction --- but should be plenty of that in Mumbai!

May 2nd, 2008, 18:14	#117
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,612	I've found if anything my day & night glasses produced in (northern) India tend to react much more strongly than those you get in Europe, and take longer to adjust back to normal. Makes stepping from the sunlight into the loo something of an adventure, kind of like stepping into a black hole

May 3rd, 2008, 09:39	#118
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,031	I wear my transition glasses year round and in the winter cold in bright sunlight they get practically black! But in summer they never get that dark. I think the temperature definitely has some effect. And forget wearing a hat that blocks the sun (which I do in summer)--they barely get dark. I have separate very dark sunglasses for the sunny summer days that I always keep ready .

May 3rd, 2008, 09:57	#119
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,960	Photo-chromic lenses of different types vary in their reactions. I think I'm right in saying that 'Transitions' is, in this respect, a trade name. I'm fairly sure (but they are about two years old) that the lenses I posted about yesterday are 'Transitions'; they not only darkened very quickly, but also returned to almost-clear soon after I brought them back into the house. Other lenses I have had have been very slow to lighten-up again. Camelgirl, there may well be more UV light passing through your clear, cold winter air than through your summer air?

May 4th, 2008, 03:56	#120
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,031	This seems to clear up the confusion about cold/dark; warm/not so dark. Particularly, the last paragraph. http://reviews.ebay.com/How-Do-Photo...00000343449 7 I knew it wasn't just the UV light because there is much more UV in summer (when they don't get very dark). In winter, it can be barely sunny & they go very dark.

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