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Lenses - buy Nica or wait?
Submitted by Mike on Tue, 2009/10/06 - 20:42.
I clearly need new glasses. I wear bifocals and the prescription for them is a bit tricky. Since it involves my vision I do not want to compromise on quality just to save a few bucks. Should I wait for my next trip to Canada or could I get the same quality lenses here in Nicaragua?
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My experience
The recommendation of one of us, maybe can help, but can be different to each of us.
In my case i use bifocal, progressive rimless eyeglasses. I order in Munkel Store , and in a period of 6 months i must replace three times, because the lens broken out from the holes, the two first time the lenses were covered by the guarantee, but the third time they refused to honor it, so i must to pay $110 for one lens, the original price was $380 , total $480 plus 15, 30 and 21 days with out my glasses.
i must give out and order to DOC in US, the glasses i made in DOC are titanium frame and cost me $800 dollars, but worth the price, is two years with my glasses.
Other problem i saw is that the lens is supposed to be anti scratch, but really is not the same quality that my lenses made in US.
My wife use a simple vision and regular frames, i bough in the same Munkel optical for $900 cordobas the first time, and the last ones for $400 cordobas in special, i bought this cheap glasses because our little daughter used it like a toy, and broke the first ones, my titanium still holding her campaign.
So i think, at least in this store, for a special glasses is better you buy in Canada, but for a regulars is OK.
Lenses
I used Optica Nicarguense in Blonia, around the corner from Pricesmarts. Very satisfied with exam and Rx but Slimeline frames were expensive ... friend said he got them at half price nearby.
The only hicup is they didn't submit my Am Ex charge to Am Ex for 18 months so I had to go back and repay ... honor system!!!!
Martin Nelson Hacienda Iguana, Tola, Rivas SKYPE: QWLCrew
try
zennioptical.com ...or optica matamoros in mga both are equaly good
10 days
Last December when I was visiting, a lens fell out of my glasses while riding the ferry to Ometepe.(If anyone catches a fish in Lake Nicaragua wearing a monocle, it's mine ;-0 ) I checked with Optical Matamoros in Esteli and they said they could get me a new pair but it would take 10 days. No line bifocals with transition lens. i had just bought the glasses before I came and their price was less than half of what I had just paid.
Nicaragua
Bi-focals seem to be a non-problem. A friend of mine needed tri-focals. They exported the job (not sure to where) and they still cost about half of what they would have cost in the U.S.
Some are same quality as US
First, you usually get what you pay for, then review the quality, ask questions and if you do no like it , go to a different place. There are at least five large eye clinics in Managua. As Fyl says, it would be half of the cost than in the US, because even high quality professional labor is cheaper in Nicaragua.
I would recommend going to a reputable local optometrist or eye clinic, if you have a personal doctor, ask him/her for references. Usually Managua, Leon and Granada have good places for glasses (Optica Matamoros and Montalvan are the oldest). If you live in other place than Managua and need an special kind of lenses (tri-focal, computer lenses, color change, etc) your order will be outsourced to Managua or in the worst case to San Jose, Costa Rica and will take more time for you to receive your glasses (forget about same days orders - minimum two or three days to a week). Many of the optometrists are graduated in USA, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico or Colombia universities.
Many thanks
... for all who took the time to reply. Much obliged.