I have heard that you can buy contact lenses in Korea without a prescription.?

Yes, it's true! Korea is one of the easiest places in the world to buy contact lenses. Here's the full breakdown:

Do you need a prescription?

No. You can buy contact lenses without a prescription in Korea. Optician shops will do a free eye measurement on the spot and sell you lenses immediately. However, if it's your first time wearing contacts, I'd recommend visiting an eye doctor first for a proper fitting. A basic eye exam costs around 10,000-20,000 won.

Where to buy: Optician shops: Found on almost every street. Free eye measurement, buy on the spot. Regular daily lenses: 15,000-25,000 won per box (30 lenses). Olive Young: Great selection of color lenses. Daily color lenses: 10,000-20,000 won per box. Online: Lensme, Lenstown, Coupang. Often cheaper than in-store.

Color lenses (circle lenses): Korea is the world capital of color lenses. Huge variety of colors and styles. Popular brands: O-Lens, Lensme, i-DOL Lens, Clalen. Available at Olive Young, optician shops, and online. Daily disposables are the safest option.

Things foreigners should know: Korean lenses typically have a base curve (BC) of 8.5-8.6mm. If you have larger eyes, this might feel tight. Look for 8.7-8.8mm options. Buy preservative-free eye drops at any pharmacy for dry eyes. No prescription needed. Don't sleep in lenses not designed for overnight wear. For astigmatism lenses, you may need to visit an optician shop since the options online are more limited.