Korea has one of the widest ranges of glasses in the world, from budget frames to designer pairs, and a complete pair usually costs far less than it would at home. I wrote about how the process works in getting glasses in Korea. This guide covers the money side: what things cost, how the tax refund works, and what to ask before you pay.
Quick answer
- A complete pair at a regular optical shop usually costs $75–150
- Budget chains start low, everyday frames come in huge variety, and imported premium frames from select shops usually cost several times more
- Foreign visitors can get the tax refund on glasses at registered shops, often at the register
- Custom glasses are generally not refundable unless there’s a defect, so check the fit before you leave the shop
Why there’s so much choice
Korea has about 17,000 optical shops nationwide, and about 2,300 of them are in Seoul (as of 2025). Buyers bring in Japanese artisan brands, European house brands, and vintage frames, and new Korean brands keep opening on top of that. The result is a huge spread of styles and prices.
Speed is part of why Koreans love it too. Overseas, glasses can take days to two or three weeks, so many Koreans with bad eyesight get several pairs made before they travel abroad.
Glasses in Korea prices: what to expect
You pay for the frame and lenses separately, so the final price depends on both. Prices here are converted from won at about ₩1,340 to $1 (October 2026), so they’ll shift with the exchange rate.
| Tier | Typical price | Where to look | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic chains | Frames from about $37 and lenses from about $15 | Davich, Eutteum 50 (으뜸50안경) | Everyday pairs, backups, tight budgets |
| Everyday frames, lots of variety | Often $37–75 (Double Lovers: $37–67) | Korean brands like Double Lovers and Carin, plus multi-brand optical shops | Trendy looks without a big price |
| Imported high-quality | Frames from about $370 (Japanese-made examples: $390–425) | Select shops such as oror, Reworks120, Retrokit, and Blink (see below) | Design lovers and frames you’ll keep for years |
Imported premium: select shops worth knowing
These shops hand-pick imported and vintage frames, so you won’t find the same selection at a chain.
| Shop | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| oror (오르오르) | Hannam, Yeoksam | A vintage-inspired brand and select shop with a British vintage mood |
| Lacitpo Optical (라시트포 옵티컬) | Seoul Forest, Seongsu | Modern takes on vintage, with labels like De Fontaine and Harman Optical |
| Reworks120 (리웍스120) | Sinsa, Garosu-gil | Premium multi-brand shop with a private eye-exam room, carrying names like Cutler and Gross |
| Vibevibes (바이브바입스) | Gangnam, Nonhyeon | American and French vintage frames with one-on-one consulting |
| Retrokit (레트로킷) | Seorae Village, Seocho | Japanese and German names like Eyevan7285, Kaneko Optical, and Mykita, with an eye test and lenses in store |
| Blink (블링크안경) | Itaewon, Mangwon, Hyehwa-dong, | Three floors: a vintage basement of French deadstock, contemporary frames, and a prestige floor |
| Baeksan Optical (백산안경점) | Sinsa | An optical shop in Sinsa-dong, so check their current brands in store |
Some of these details come from older articles, so check the address, hours, and brands before you go. Also ask whether the shop can fit prescription lenses and how long it takes, since policies differ.
For comparison, one guide puts a Korean pair at roughly $30–50 to start, versus $200–350+ in North America or Europe. Prices change, so use these as a guide rather than a promise.
The tax refund
Glasses count as a purchase for the tourist tax refund, and some Davich stores can deduct the tax right at the register if you show your passport. In 2026, the main rules are:
- The purchase must be at least $11 per payment, and under about $750 for an immediate refund.
- Immediate refunds are capped at about $3,700 total for the trip.
- You usually get back about 5–7% of the price, not the full 10% VAT, because the refund operator takes a fee.
- You need to look for a tax-refund mark at the shop and take the goods out of Korea within three months.
Bring your passport and ask whether the shop does tax refunds before you pay. If a shop can’t process it at the register, ask for the refund receipt so you can claim at the airport.
Choosing where to buy
My advice is simple: look for a shop near where you’re already staying or sightseeing. If you find a pair you like there, you don’t need to cross the city. Compare one or two shops if you can, since the same frame can have a different price. If you’ll be in Seongsu, Hannam, Hongdae, or Myeongdong anyway, those areas have plenty of options (see my area guide).
Before you leave the shop
This matters most if you’re flying out soon. Fitted glasses are generally not returnable. Korea Consumer Agency guidance says that once glasses are fitted for the customer and can’t be resold, they can’t be exchanged or refunded unless defective. The consumer dispute guideline allows claims for defects that appear within one month of purchase, but it’s hard to use that after you’ve left the country.
So before you pay:
- Try the glasses on and check your vision in the shop
- Ask for free adjustments if the fit is loose or tight. Some shops and brands give a warranty of one year on frames and six months on lenses, but policies differ
- Give yourself a few days to adjust to new lenses. Some shops say discomfort usually fades within a week, so ask what they’ll do if it doesn’t
- Ask about return and exchange policy in writing, especially for expensive frames
FAQ
Will the frames fit my face?
Korean eyewear is often designed for Asian face shapes, with shorter nose bridges and lower frame curves. If your nose bridge is higher or your face is wider, try frames on and ask the staff to adjust the nose pads and temples.
Is buying glasses in Korea cheaper than at home?
Usually, yes, for ordinary prescription glasses. Designer frames can cost the same as or more than at home.
Does the tax refund apply to prescription glasses?
Generally yes, at shops registered for tourist tax refunds. Ask before you pay.
Can I return glasses if I don’t like them?
Not easily, since custom glasses can’t be resold. Test the fit and vision in the shop and ask about the policy first.
This guide shares general information based on public sources and my own experience, not tax or legal advice. Prices and refund rules change, so confirm them before you pay.
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