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Turkey offers a wide range of both local production and international brands. Prices are more affordable due to a lower VAT rate, smaller labor costs, and intense competition in tourist areas.

Tip: Haggling is common in smaller optical shops. You can often get a 10–20% discount, especially when paying with cash or buying multiple pairs.

Good preparation ensures a smooth purchasing process. Here is a list of required and recommended items.

No prescription? No problem!

Almost all optical shops in Turkey offer a quick (15-20 min) and professional on-site eye exam. It's accurate, performed with modern equipment, and often free when you purchase glasses.

Follow these steps for the best results.

1. Find a reputable store: Avoid market stalls. Look for a professional optical shop. Well-known chains like Atasun Optik, Optik World, and Göz Grup Optik are safe bets. Also, read Google Maps reviews (choose a store with at least a 4.5★ rating).
2. Get an eye exam: If you need a new prescription, ensure that in addition to the automated machine reading, you also receive a subjective test with a trial frame and lenses. This guarantees the glasses will be perfectly comfortable for you.
3. Choose lenses and frames: Opt for well-known lens manufacturers like Essilor, Zeiss, or Hoya. Ask to see the certificate of authenticity. Standard coatings include UV400, scratch-resistance, and anti-reflection.
4. Progressive lenses: Precise fitting is crucial for these. Make sure the shop uses a digital measurement device and ask about an adaptation guarantee.
5. Place your order: Simple glasses are ready in 1–2 days, while more complex ones take 3–5 days. Plan your purchase for the beginning of your vacation!
6. Pay and collect documents: When paying by card, choose the local currency (TRY). This is important because the terminal may offer to charge you in your home currency, but it will use an unfavorable exchange rate (a "DCC" service). Always choosing the local currency ensures you get the best rate from your own bank. Tip: Ask for the final price and lens specifications to be written on the order form before you pay to avoid misunderstandings. Always leave the store with an official invoice (fatura), warranty, and the lenses' certificate of authenticity.

Helpful Turkish Phrases

• Hello: Merhaba (mer-ha-ba)
• Eyeglasses: Gözlük (goz-luk)
• Eye exam: Göz muayenesi (goz moo-ah-yeh-neh-see)
• How much is it?: Ne kadar? (neh ka-dar)
• Is there a discount?: İndirim var mı? (in-dee-rim var muh)
• Thank you: Teşekkür ederim (teh-shek-kur eh-deh-rim)

The heart of your eyeglasses is the lenses. Here's what to pay special attention to for the best outcome.

• Manufacturer's Certificate: In addition to asking for a known brand (Zeiss, Essilor), ask to see the certificate of authenticity or card that comes with the lenses. This prevents the use of cheaper copies.
• High-Index Lenses: If you have a strong prescription (high minus or plus), ask about different thinning options (indices of 1.61, 1.67, 1.74). High-index lenses are often significantly cheaper in Turkey.
• Quality Coatings: Ask if the anti-reflective coating also includes an anti-static and hydrophobic layer. These features make cleaning your glasses much easier.
• Adaptation Guarantee for Progressives: This means if you can't get used to your new lenses within a certain period (e.g., 30 days), they will be replaced free of charge. This is standard practice in high-quality stores.

After your purchase, it's important to know your rights and options.

Warranty and Maintenance

• Warranty: Reputable shops provide a 1–2 year warranty on frames and lens coatings. Major brand frames often have an international warranty, but the lens warranty is typically valid only at the place of purchase.
• Lifetime Maintenance: Many shops offer free maintenance for the glasses you buy, including tightening screws and adjusting the frames.

Tax-Free and Customs

• Tax-Free: If your purchase exceeds a certain amount (usually ~€100-€150), be sure to ask for a Tax-Free form. You can get up to 18% of the VAT refunded at the airport.
• Customs: When entering the European Union, goods for personal use are tax-free up to €430 in value (for air travelers). If you are traveling to a non-EU country (e.g., USA, UK), be sure to check your home country's customs allowance.

While smaller shops might offer more personalized service and better prices, large chains are always a safe and reliable choice, especially for first-time buyers.

• Atasun Optik: Turkey's largest and most well-known optical chain. A wide selection, good deals, and professional service are guaranteed.
• Optik Dünyası (Optik World): A chain geared more towards tourists, offering a wide selection of international brands and high-quality service.
• Göz Grup Optik: A strong local chain that often offers more competitive prices without compromising on quality. (Official website may vary by region).

Be a smart buyer and avoid common pitfalls to ensure your experience is flawless.

• "Too good to be true" offers: Be wary of extremely cheap street offers. Quality lenses and coatings have a cost. Inadequate UV protection can cause permanent eye damage.
• Buying fakes instead of authentic sunglasses: If you're buying designer sunglasses (e.g., Ray-Ban, Oakley), do so only at an official optical store, not a market stall. Always check the serial number on the temple, the quality of the case, and the accompanying documents. The product will always be genuine in an official store.
• Giving in to sales pressure: Don't rush. Take your time, compare prices at 2-3 shops, and walk away if you feel pressured. A good shop will give you time to think.
• Skipping the subjective test: Don't settle for just the initial measurement from a machine. Always insist on a check with a trial frame to ensure the glasses are comfortable.
• Forgetting the documents: Always double-check that you leave the store with an invoice and a warranty certificate. Without them, any future claims are impossible.

Here are answers to specific questions you might have before making a purchase.

"Can I get new lenses for my old frames?"

Yes, absolutely. This is a very common and cost-effective practice. Most opticians offer this service. The process is simple:

• The optician will check the condition of your frames. For older plastic frames, replacing lenses can be risky if the material has become brittle. It's usually safer with metal frames.
• If the frame is in good condition, new lenses will be ordered to the exact measurements of your frame according to your prescription.
• This is an excellent way to save money if you're happy with your current frames.

"What happens if the glasses don't feel right and I'm already back home?"

This is one of the main risks, which is why prevention is key.

• The best solution: Buy your glasses at the beginning of your vacation. Wear the new glasses for 1-2 days while still in Turkey. If you feel any discomfort (headaches, dizziness, incorrect focus), go back to the shop immediately. Problems are easy and quick to resolve on the spot.
• If you're already home: Contact the shop via email or WhatsApp (be sure to get their contact info during the purchase). Larger, more reputable chains may offer solutions, but the process can be complicated.
• Possible scenarios: You might be asked to ship the glasses back at your own expense. If the mistake was clearly theirs (e.g., they entered the prescription incorrectly), they might offer a partial refund or send new lenses. However, this is not guaranteed.
• In summary: Use the "adaptation guarantee" and test the glasses thoroughly while you are still in Turkey.

"How strong can my prescription be for the glasses to be made quickly?"

This depends entirely on the stock available at the optical shop.

• Ready quickly (a few hours to 1 day): The most common single-vision lenses are usually in stock. This typically means a sphere (SPH) between -4.00 and +4.00, and a cylinder (CYL) up to -2.00.
• Require ordering (2-5 days): Anything outside the standard range needs to be ordered from a special lab. This includes:
  • All progressive and bifocal lenses.
  • High-power prescriptions (e.g., SPH over -6.00 or +4.00).
  • High astigmatism (CYL over -2.00).
  • Specially thinned (high-index) lenses.
  • Photochromic or specially tinted lenses.
Always ask for the exact delivery time based on your prescription before confirming your order!

"Will Turkish opticians understand my prescription?"

Yes, the format for an eyeglass prescription is international. Abbreviations like SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), AXIS, ADD (addition), and PD (pupillary distance) are the same worldwide. You won't have any problems, as the numerical values and abbreviations are universal.

"Can I also buy contact lenses in Turkey?"

Yes, and it's often cheaper. Unlike in many countries where lenses are primarily bought online, in Turkey, all major brands (Acuvue, Biofinity, etc.) are sold in regular optical shops.

• No prescription needed: Typically, you don't need a prescription to buy lenses if you know your parameters (BC, DIA, SPH). Showing a photo of your old box is usually enough.
• Availability: Common prescriptions for nearsightedness are usually in stock. More unusual ones (toric, multifocal) may need to be ordered, taking 1-2 days.

"Is it a good idea to buy glasses for children in Turkey?"

Yes, it's a great idea. The selection is wide and the prices are favorable. Pay attention to the following:

• Durable frames: Look for frames made from flexible and durable materials (like titanium-flex or special plastic compounds).
• Polycarbonate lenses: Shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses are always recommended for children for safety. Most opticians offer them as the standard.
• Service: Make sure the optician takes the time to fit the frames perfectly to your child's face.

Before making your final decision, run through this quick list to make sure you don't forget anything important.

Before you go to the store

• Compare prices and Google reviews for 2-3 shops.
• Bring your prescription or old glasses.
• Plan the purchase for the beginning of your vacation.

In the store

• Insist on a subjective eye test with a trial frame.
• Ask for lenses from a well-known manufacturer (Zeiss, Essilor) and their certificate.
• For progressives, require digital measurement and an adaptation guarantee.
• Agree on the final price and have it confirmed in writing.