Where can I buy prescription eyeglasses in Budapest?

Lindasteve wrote:

Hello Everyone..

I'm still new in Budapest.. And unfortunately my frames rim got broke.
I need a new pair of glasses, so are there any good optical shops in Budapest?

As New Year is coming, so there must be some offers or discounts going on?

Can any one recommend me a good, tried or tested optical shop? (I'm not looking for frames only, I need with lenses)

Go to Vision Express.  They have shops everywhere.  You might find a discount but maybe not.   Vision Express is - possibly - the same as the UK chain of the same name.

The norm in the Vision Express UK version for me and my glasses is to buy the prescription glasses and get a free second pair preferably sunglasses.

Glasses are almost always a total rip off.  If you need only reading glasses with same strength in both lenses, you can get pairs of glasses off the shelf in places like Aldi.  Otherwise you'll need an optician.

Hey everyone!
I am also new to Budapest, its 2 months now that I'm living here with my 2 kids. Came here to study😊

I want to thank Mr. Fluffy for guiding about the glasses.. Because I've seen some glasses in Spar, Rossman, Dm etc. But why were they cheaper then Optical shops? Are those not a good quality? (though store frames were prettier then optical shop, so I don't know the difference which 1 will be long lasting?)

Even I went to a optician shop here called Ofotért, coz they are having winter Sale. The frames were OK.. And are on sale 30% -50%, but lenses were super pricey, 24,000huf each lens (anti scratch, anti reflex, thin etc.)

So I would like to know is there any shop here in BP whose lens are affordable?? Because I have an astigmatism, which causes more price! Or should I buy a cheap/normal frame from any normal store and just ask the optician for lens?

I am new here still don't know anything about BP, so if any1can give advices??

Lilyjohn wrote:

Hey everyone!
I am also new to Budapest, its 2 months now that I'm living here with my 2 kids. Came here to study😊

I want to thank Mr. Fluffy for guiding about the glasses.. Because I've seen some glasses in Spar, Rossman, Dm etc. But why were they cheaper then Optical shops? Are those not a good quality? (though store frames were prettier then optical shop, so I don't know the difference which 1 will be long lasting?)

Even I went to a optician shop here called Ofotért, coz they are having winter Sale. The frames were OK.. And are on sale 30% -50%, but lenses were super pricey, 24,000huf each lens (anti scratch, anti reflex, thin etc.)

So I would like to know is there any shop here in BP whose lens are affordable?? Because I have an astigmatism, which causes more price! Or should I buy a cheap/normal frame from any normal store and just ask the optician for lens?

I am new here still don't know anything about BP, so if any1can give advices??

If you have anything more than short or long sightedness, get a prescription from an optician. 

The price you quote is about right but at the chain outlets you might be able to get say a second set of sunglasses with prescription lenses included in the deal.  You need to ask.

BTW, claims of sales prices are mostly nonsense.  They are pretending by discounting overpriced products.  I've never seen any real savings here in sales.

Hello Mr. Fluffy

Yeah I'm having short sightedness, and I asked for the prescription from ofotért optometrist, but he said, if I'm interested to buy then it will be free of charge otherwise I have to pay for it.. So I thought why not to try any other optical shop??

So I'm waiting for other good options now🙄

Lilyjohn wrote:

Hello Mr. Fluffy

Yeah I'm having short sightedness, and I asked for the prescription from ofotért optometrist, but he said, if I'm interested to buy then it will be free of charge otherwise I have to pay for it.. So I thought why not to try any other optical shop??

So I'm waiting for other good options now🙄

That's normal here. 

Other countries they will do it for nothing in the hope you buy but here, they demand it.   They make you pay, then discount if you buy.

I'm short sighted and use varifocals with graduated lenses (not bifocals). I don't need glasses for reading in decent light. 

With the optional extras large hardened coating etc, there's not much change out of 100K HUF for two pairs (sunglasses and normal glasses, both quality own brand frames - from Vision Express).   

Mrs Fluffy paid 50K for ordinary reading glasses without astigmatism correction but she had designer frames.

I will visit to Vision Express😊

Lilyjohn wrote:

I will visit to Vision Express😊

Let us know how you get on!

BTW.. I was wondering is there going to happen any fireworks in BP? I would like to show to my kids! On 31st Dec. 2018

Lilyjohn wrote:

BTW.. I was wondering is there going to happen any fireworks in BP? I would like to show to my kids! On 31st Dec. 2018

Usually it's down by the river opposite the Parliament but get there earlier than later.   Every year is the same.  You will find it impossible to park anywhere near there so take public transport if you can.

You'd be better of posting this elsewhere as it's not about glasses - try the Absolutely Anything Else thread.

Lilyjohn wrote:

Because I've seen some glasses in Spar, Rossman, Dm etc. But why were they cheaper then Optical shops?

Those glasses are mostly for hyperopia (far sighted -- which we all get when we age).

If you have myopia (near sighted) or an astigmatism, you need to get custom glasses made for you.

Lilyjohn wrote:

but lenses were super pricey, 24,000huf each lens (anti scratch, anti reflex, thin etc.)

You don't need all the bells and whistles on your lens. If you have a minor correction, just get normal plastic lens (thinner and naturally scratch resistant). If you have a strong prescription, I recommend getting simply carbide lenses. In either case forget the anti-reflex, anti-scratch extras. They will try to hard sell you on the extras, but you really don't need them. Because chances are your prescription will change in a few years and you need to buy new lenses anyway -- before they get really scratched.

And I have had these coatings fall off sometimes before I needed a new prescription, which was not just annoying, but counter productive. I never get these add-on features today. Waste of money.

klsallee wrote:

Lilyjohn wrote:

Because I've seen some glasses in Spar, Rossman, Dm etc. But why were they cheaper then Optical shops?

Those glasses are mostly for hyperopia (far sighted -- which we all get when we age).

If you have myopia (near sighted) or an astigmatism, you need to get custom glasses made for you.

We don't all suffer from age related hyperopia at the same rate.

I have never needed glasses for reading but since my early 20s I've needed them for distance. 

Even now, in my very late 50s,  I do not need glasses for reading or using the computer and I can read really tiny print that defeats even Mrs Fluffy.  My varifocals are more or less plain glass at the bottom.

My optician said I was passing some kind of tipping point where eventually my reading vision would require assistance but it could be some years, perhaps 10 or more.

fluffy2560 wrote:

We don't all suffer from age related hyperopia at the same rate.

I have never needed glasses for reading but since my early 20s I've needed them for distance.

True. Often, the stronger, and earlier onset of, the myopia, the longer it takes often to get noticeable hyperopia.

Unfortunately, I also have a very strong astigmatism, so near or far were both a problem my entire life.

True.. Very true!
Coz my prescription is changing every year, before it used to change slightly after 6 months.
That's why I don't want to spend on lenses that much, coz it will change anyway!

So is it possible if I buy frames from any store, and give it to the optician here to put lenses?

Which lenses can work OK in my situation? Do they really have to be scratch proof etc.? As I don't have pets neither I keep long nails etc. The only thing is if I don't wear glasses, my vision gets blurry and I can't read properly from far. And I use mobile on daily basis for messages etc. So I don't want fried eyes, so is there something suitable??

klsallee wrote:

fluffy2560 wrote:

We don't all suffer from age related hyperopia at the same rate.

I have never needed glasses for reading but since my early 20s I've needed them for distance.

True. Often, the stronger, and earlier onset of, the myopia, the longer it takes often to get noticeable hyperopia.

Unfortunately, I also have a very strong astigmatism, so near or far were both a problem my entire life.

I've got squashed eyeballs as well (aka astigmatism) but I couldn't say if it seriously affects my vision or not - too used to it and maybe the brain fills in or distorts it back. I have noticed I can do better recently with more light but that's no revelation. It's just optics - smaller iris, better depth of field.

I still get the extras on my glasses - anti-fog, anti-scratch etc. I abuse my glasses terribly and anything that can keep them going for longer has to be good.  But I usually count on 2 years for lifespan. I've got a box of old pairs.  Some charities like old glasses as they can rework them for those in need but I've never heard of such a charity here.

It might be best to just bring in your old frames and lenses to a eye glass shop like Vision Express and let them see what they can work with. In the long run they may need to just make up a whole new pair if it is too difficult to fit your old lenses into a new frame.
Some eye glass shops have sales where they will exam your eyes for free even if you do not buy from them.
Think if you don't mind a simple frame you may be able to replace with a whole new pair for under $50. when they have a sale going on.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

It might be best to just bring in your old frames and lenses to a eye glass shop like Vision Express and let them see what they can work with. In the long run they may need to just make up a whole new pair if it is too difficult to fit your old lenses into a new frame.
Some eye glass shops have sales where they will exam your eyes for free even if you do not buy from them.
Think if you don't mind a simple frame you may be able to replace with a whole new pair for under $50. when they have a sale going on.

I did that once in Egypt after my frames broke.  Down at the souk (bazaar) an "optician" had some frames and managed to squeeze my lenses in.  When I got back home, I went to my regular optician and he said it was an utter mess. The glasses and lenses were no longer aligned correctly for my eyes.  I ended up buying a new pair.  He could have been cheating me but I had felt my eyes were more strained  and I thought it best to take his advice.

I don't really know how glasses fit.
I only use cheapo readers sometimes.
I once got designer frames with a co-pay deal at my casino job, Donna Karen frames , they put in some super heavy lenses and one side always poops out on me.
I'll stick to my 99 cents readers for now.
Went to the NV DMV to get a "real Id" since I wanted more time on my driving papers in the US and in 2020 we need real ID's in the US to enter Federal building etc.
What a dam hassle, had to go in 3 different times because all the paperwork they wanted.
Had everything with me but 2 local bills to prove where I live, got that done.
Makes me wonder what will happen with all those illegals with no ID at all. Like my old driving papers which are still valid, my birth certificate, my US valid passport where not enough?
World is getting crazy every day.
Got off track, next time I try to get my driving papers, I will defo need real eye glasses, it was very close, wouldn't of passed in the end with the eye exam if the clerk didn't help me out a bit... pays to be nice sometimes.
I am no danger as a driver because I know enough to not try to drive in the dark until I get glasses.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Went to the NV DMV to get a "real Id" since I wanted more time on my driving papers in the US and in 2020 we need real ID's in the US to enter Federal building etc.
What a dam hassle, had to go in 3 different times because all the paperwork they wanted.
Had everything with me but 2 local bills to prove where I live, got that done.
Makes me wonder what will happen with all those illegals with no ID at all. Like my old driving papers which are still valid, my birth certificate, my US valid passport where not enough?...

Basically you are now in receipt of an official ID card.  Cops stop you, they'll ask you for it.  And they'll track you wherever you go by scanning the card even if it's in your bag.   Soon, you won't be able to login to the Internet without it. 

And they know how your eyeballs are too, your blood group and your history to build a profile of how likely you are to pose a threat - whatever the threat is, e.g.  expressing discontent with Trump or the wall or your prescription lenses. You'll be detained for processing or re-education.

Those kind of thing end up with scope creep.  Using ID cards for purposes for which they were not intended. Bureaucrats cannot resist it.

Hi Its happening on three places mainly, one in front of parliament building, Second on Hero Square, and third in front of Nyugati Station.

fluffy2560 wrote:

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

....
Went to the NV DMV to get a "real Id" since I wanted more time on my driving papers in the US and in 2020 we need real ID's in the US to enter Federal building etc.
What a dam hassle, had to go in 3 different times because all the paperwork they wanted.
Had everything with me but 2 local bills to prove where I live, got that done.
Makes me wonder what will happen with all those illegals with no ID at all. Like my old driving papers which are still valid, my birth certificate, my US valid passport where not enough?...

Basically you are now in receipt of an official ID card.  Cops stop you, they'll ask you for it.  And they'll track you wherever you go by scanning the card even if it's in your bag.   Soon, you won't be able to login to the Internet without it. 

And they know how your eyeballs are too, your blood group and your history to build a profile of how likely you are to pose a threat - whatever the threat is, e.g.  expressing discontent with Trump or the wall or your prescription lenses. You'll be detained for processing or re-education.

Those kind of thing end up with scope creep.  Using ID cards for purposes for which they were not intended. Bureaucrats cannot resist it.

So very true but I can't fight the system on my own.
Events and votes have already been counted and it seems the "people" allowed this intruetion of privacy,
I remember perhaps 25 or so years back when our Ca. driving license  had those strips placed on the back of the card.
My husband freaked out, said they had learned very good from the old commie days of the the Little Black Book ( or was it red?).
He mentioned when he got his first US driving license for New York there wasn't even a photo on the card!
I worked in casinos so big bro already has my fingerprints on file and
perhaps allot more on me.
Donated blood to the Red Cross years ago so I'm prime for being a donor with O- blood.
Maybe I should just eat GMO foods and drink myself have to death so not to be targeted for organs!
I of course check NO for organ donation on my driving papers.
I'm worth more parted out then in tack!
I'm hopefully out of danger as not many people want 64 year old parts!! Ha, ha.
Actually the new US passports also have chips in them and I think even our debit cards all have chips these days.
No place to run, no place to hide!!
Way off topic here, yes think I must look into getting glasses soon at least for night driving.
Have some of those yellow tinted night time Ray Bans somewhere, wonder if they really work or not.
The new LED headlights in cars are murder on the eyes at night.

Marilyn Tassy wrote:

.....
....
Way off topic here, yes think I must look into getting glasses soon at least for night driving.
Have some of those yellow tinted night time Ray Bans somewhere, wonder if they really work or not.
The new LED headlights in cars are murder on the eyes at night.

....ID stuff transferred to here...Absolutely Anything Else

I don't believe in driving glasses.  They'll reduce the amount of light.  The blue light bulbs are disconcerting.

I don't think LED bulbs are actually allowed in the EU. Not yet anyway.  Not 100% on that but I can say I have some LED bulbs that are not officially allowed in vehicles within the EU - not standard.  Easy to get them on Ebay though.