This blog post may save you from a costly mistake. Read on to find out what it is!
The first time I ever bought a pair of prescription glasses was way back in 2013. However, I hardly wore it because the frame hurt the sides of my head. The frame was too narrow and yet my glasses kept sliding down my nose. It was a regretful purchase.
Last year, our team at work transferred to a new building (where the air conditioning units were new and always on full blast). My skin and eyes dried up like crazy. At work, my eyes would have a 6PM habit of getting red and dry and I always needed eye drops. I tried wearing my old glasses, but they didn't do much help.
Last February 2020, my "I love myself" gift was a new pair of glasses from JINS SM North EDSA. Why JINS?
- Because my best friend told me about how she had her ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect lenses tested at JINS, and the blue light just passed through her expensive glasses (that costs twice as much as JINS).
- They had 20% off on selected frames (during The Great Northern Sale)
- Their sales associates were so proactive in recommending frames that would suit me, and I found a favorite just a few minutes upon entering their store.
Backstory: After that, I actually walked to Owndays too, just to check out the black frame I originally wanted. It wasn't in stock, and their sales associate kept following me around without assisting me or recommending anything. I hated that, so I took my money elsewhere. My friend had the 100% same experience so he purchased from JINS, too.
JINS SM North EDSA
At JINS, you can get your glasses in just 30 minutes. The JINS core lenses all include the following features with no additional charge:
- High-Index Lenses - 1.56 / 1.60 / 1.67 / 1.74
- Aspheric lenses - less distortion
- UV Cut Lenses - 99%↑
- Anti-glare coating - less reflection
The price on the frame is all-inclusive, but JINS also offers a wide range of lens options with additional cost: JINS SCREEN, prescription sunglasses, progressive, transition, and polarized lenses. Special orders may take up to one week since the lenses ship from Japan.
The frame that suited me best was the first pair on the second level, which they chose for me. The particular frame design came in black, gray, tortoise shell, and red (see first pair of glasses on each level). Black looked too harsh on me, while gray had a softer look.
And now the eye exam. My previous glasses had a prescription of -0.50 for both eyes. My current eyeglasses prescription is -0.75 for both eyes plus astigmatism.
Excited for my new glasses!
About JINS SCREEN:
JINS has this blue light testing machine. I had my previous multi-coated glasses tested, and the blue light just passed through. Yikes! See the JINS SCREEN 40% being tested in the photo - not only was the blue light blocked, glare was minimized as well.
JINS SCREEN 25% and 40% in store lightning
JINS SCREEN blocks 25%/40% of blue light from entering the eyes, therefore reducing eye strain, preventing eye damage, and regulating a normal body clock. JINS SCREEN glasses without prescription are available for PHP 3,000.
- JINS
SCREEN 25% CUT* - Clear lens with a natural appearance. With a clear,
natural-looking lens that is perfect for everyday use, it can be used
easily from office to home.
- *With prescription, this becomes JINS SCREEN 20% CUT
- JINS
SCREEN 40% CUT - For long working hours. Equipped with a lens with high
blue light cut rate. For those who use a PC or smartphone for a long
time.
Based on their bright store lighting and my PC usage (due to work), I went for JINS SCREEN 40%. It was the most sensible choice, right?
JINS SCREEN 40% in various lighting
WRONG. JINS SCREEN 40% was indeed functional, but not aesthetically pleasing. When I picked up my glasses after one week, I already didn't like how it looked like the moment I stepped out of their brightly lit store. It had a strong tint, and it made me look as if I were perpetually wearing shades indoors and outdoors. It also had an aging/haggard effect. After one day, I couldn't take it anymore, so I went back to JINS to have the lenses replaced. It took around 30 minutes. And yes, I paid again for lens replacement.
JINS SCREEN 20% prescription glasses + beautiful red case + cleaning cloth
They offer lifetime free service (includes nose pad replacement, adjustment, and cleaning).
JINS SCREEN 40% vs JINS SCREEN 20%
Choosing JINS SCREEN 40% was my own mistake, but their super bright store lighting didn't help as it made JINS SCREEN 40% look fine/normal in store. I'm very happy with my JINS SCREEN 20% prescription glasses. Had I chosen this one from the start, I would have taken my glasses home within 30 minutes (and not after one week), and my experience would have been 5/5 stars. They got my prescription right, I never got dizzy from my new glasses, my world is not blurry anymore, and I no longer get red eyes from using the PC. I highly recommend JINS SCREEN 20%. And yes, I would still purchase from JINS in the future.
Price:
Frame: PHP 7,000 less 20% discount -> PHP 5,600
JINS SCREEN 40%: PHP 3,000
JINS SCREEN 20% lens replacement: PHP 3,000 less 10% discount because I surrendered my JINS SCREEN 40% lenses -> P2,700
Total cost: PHP 11,300
You may purchase non-prescription JINS glasses from Lazada as well.
Love,
Helen
