I want to share to you my whole journey on how I was able to get a pair of glasses for my eyes-prescription glasses, which was very cheap compared to what you can get at the mall or any other all optical clinics that you could think of.
To start of, what made me decide to get glasses for my eyes was that whenever I try to look a computer screen or cellphone screen, television for quite long my eyes just hurt- it would require me to like blink for a couple of times or squint my eyes until I feel okay and then there's some kind of pinch of pain in between my eyes and frequent headaches as well. I tried to Google for what are the possible causes of these symptoms. Well, Google recommended using anti-glare glasses or might be astigmatism.
I decided to visit a local optical clinic here in the area and then I tried to check how much will it be costing me if in case I wanted to have a consultation and an eyeglass made. They told me that the lens itself will actually cost 1,200php and for the frame, ranges between 1000 to 2000php and consultation alone is 350php. All in all the package is about 2500php, depends on other conditions like If would like to add transitions lens etc etc.
I research online as well and then I checked with friends telling me that there are actually a lot of shops that can offer 50% of the estimate I first got. I decided to finally give it a chance and make sure it is valid and maybe if it's good I could go ahead and buy from there.
I decided that last Saturday before going into any of the shops I Googled first any ideal clinic/shop. Most of the clinics/shops are actually located at Paterno Street om Quiapo just behind the Quiapo church. See those candle sellers? Just go way past them. Best tip? Ask for directions.
They can offer lenses for as low as 500PHP and it would be much like convenient if you could bring your own frames instead. But they also got wide range of selection for frames if you dont have one yet. From originals to class a to imitiations - name it!
By the time that we got there with my mom the street was pretty crowded (errr. Quiapo, ring a bell?) There was a lot of people and also ofcourse a lot of optical shops.
We went straight to RSA Optical or in 625 Paterno St. (Wc was pretty famous online) and confirmed that the price is 500 Pesos if I wanted to add transition lenses that will transform white to black on daytime to nighttime, I can add up as low as 1200php. Consultation is 100php only. RSA really didn't have any hint of eye clinic in it so what they do instead (wc I believe goes for the others too,) is that they will actually bring you to one of their partner Optical clinics like for example we were brought into this clinic names EYE NATION wc is also along with their Paterno St. Shop assistants will guide you on how to get there and have you eyes examined, (computerized with legit opthometrist) then they'll escort you back to the shop with your "prescription".
The building process takes almost an hour, (considering that there were a lot of customers that day!) And it comes with a free lens wiper (?) And hard case.
Bottomline? Instead of paying 3500php, I got my first glasses for only 1300php. Same quality, different price! I recommend you to try Paterno St. first. You can bring your existing prescriptions then they can just do the "build" as well if thats what you'd prefer.
Here's their Contact Info incase you're interested.
Let me know if I was of any help! You can ask me for directions and questions too. ♡
Love,
Madam
