Optician or eye clinic first
For ordinary glasses, many people go straight to an optician shop, which can test eyesight in the store. For contact lenses, or for any symptoms or concerns about your eyes, an eye clinic is usually the first stop.
Knowing which place you need saves a wasted trip.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 眼鏡屋 | meganeya | Optician shop |
| 眼科 | ganka | Eye clinic |
| 視力検査 | shiryoku kensa | Eyesight test |
| Situation | Where people usually go |
|---|---|
| New glasses with an in-store test | An optician shop |
| Contact lenses | An eye clinic for an examination, then a lens shop |
| Eye pain, redness or sudden changes | An eye clinic |
| Adjusting or repairing glasses | The optician shop where you bought them |
The eye test
The eye test is a short exchange of prompts and answers. You cover one eye and say which way a gap in a ring faces, then compare lenses as the optician switches them.
Short answers are expected. If you are not sure, say so rather than guessing.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 右目を隠してください。 | Migime o kakushite kudasai. | Please cover your right eye. |
| 上です。 | Ue desu. | Up. |
| 左です。 | Hidari desu. | Left. |
| 見えません。 | Miemasen. | I cannot see it. |
| ぼやけて見えます。 | Boyakete miemasu. | It looks blurry. |
| こちらとこちら、どちらがよく見えますか。 | Kochira to kochira, dochira ga yoku miemasu ka. | This one or this one, which is clearer? |
| あまり変わりません。 | Amari kawarimasen. | There is not much difference. |
Choosing frames
Frame choice is mostly about style and comfort. Staff will ask how it feels, and you need words for weight, tightness and fit.
Try frames on and move your head before deciding.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 試着してもいいですか。 | Shichaku shite mo ii desu ka. | May I try these on? |
| 軽いフレームがいいです。 | Karui furēmu ga ii desu. | I would like a light frame. |
| ちょっときついです。 | Chotto kitsui desu. | It is a little tight. |
| 少しゆるいです。 | Sukoshi yurui desu. | It is a little loose. |
| かけ心地がいいですね。 | Kakegokochi ga ii desu ne. | These feel comfortable. |
Lens options
Lens options affect price and comfort, and staff usually explain them quickly. Learn the main terms so you can follow the explanation and ask about cost.
Ask what is included in the frame price before choosing extras.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 度数 | dosū | Lens strength, prescription |
| 近視 | kinshi | Short-sightedness |
| 遠視 | enshi | Long-sightedness |
| 乱視 | ranshi | Astigmatism |
| 薄型レンズ | usugata renzu | Thin lenses |
| 遠近両用 | enkin ryōyō | Bifocal or progressive lenses |
| 追加料金はかかりますか。 | Tsuika ryōkin wa kakarimasu ka. | Is there an extra charge? |
Contact lenses
Buying contact lenses usually involves an examination at an eye clinic first, and the clinic gives you the details the shop needs. Bring the box of the lenses you use now if you have one.
Say which type you use, such as daily disposable lenses, and whether you want to keep the same brand.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| コンタクトレンズを作りたいです。 | Kontakuto renzu o tsukuritai desu. | I would like to get contact lenses. |
| 使い捨て | tsukaisute | Disposable |
| 一日使い捨てを使っています。 | Ichinichi tsukaisute o tsukatte imasu. | I use daily disposable lenses. |
| 今使っているレンズの箱を持ってきました。 | Ima tsukatte iru renzu no hako o motte kimashita. | I brought the box of the lenses I use now. |
| 処方箋 | shohōsen | Prescription |
Pickup and adjustment
When you pick up your glasses, staff usually check the fit and adjust it. If the glasses slip or press later, go back and ask for an adjustment.
Ask about the warranty at pickup so you know what is covered.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| いつ受け取れますか。 | Itsu uketoremasu ka. | When can I pick them up? |
| 少しずれるので、調整してもらえますか。 | Sukoshi zureru node, chōsei shite moraemasu ka. | They slip a little. Could you adjust them? |
| 耳が痛いです。 | Mimi ga itai desu. | They hurt my ears. |
| 保証はありますか。 | Hoshō wa arimasu ka. | Is there a warranty? |
Practising the quick answers
The eye test moves fast, and hesitating over up and left can make it feel stressful. Practising the direction words until they are instant makes the test much easier.
A quick roleplay with your AI Sensei in Unihongo's 3D classroom playing the optician gives you the prompts at natural speed, and the pronunciation lab's long vowel focus helps with words like ryōyō and dosū that are easy to shorten.
- Learn up, down, left and right until they are automatic.
- Prepare phrases for blurry and cannot see.
- Know your current lens type if you wear contacts.
- Ask about adjustment and warranty at pickup.