At the Optician
Use these phrases to explain vision problems, choose new frames, and buy glasses or contacts at the optician.
Key Phrases
Quiero hacerme un examen de la vista.
neutralI want to get an eye test.
A standard way to ask for a vision check at the clinic or store.
¿Me puede revisar la vista, por favor?
politeCan you check my eyes, please?
More polite, addressing the staff directly with formal 'usted'.
No veo bien de lejos.
neutralI can't see well far away.
Use 'de lejos' for distance and 'de cerca' for up close.
Veo muy mal de cerca.
casualI see very badly up close.
A natural way to explain you have trouble reading.
Necesito comprar gafas nuevas.
neutralI need to buy new glasses.
In many parts of Latin America, people say 'lentes' or 'anteojos' instead of 'gafas'.
Aquí tengo una receta de mi médico.
neutralHere I have a prescription from my doctor.
A prescription for glasses or medicine is called a 'receta'.
Quiero probar estas monturas.
neutralI want to try on these frames.
Use 'probar' for trying on glasses, clothes, or shoes.
¿Tienen lentes de contacto aquí?
neutralDo you have contact lenses here?
Contact lenses are generally called 'lentes de contacto' everywhere.
¿Cuándo van a estar listas?
neutralWhen are they going to be ready?
Uses the basic future tense (ir a + infinitive).
¿Cuánto cuestan estas gafas?
neutralHow much do these glasses cost?
Standard phrase for asking the price of a specific item.
¿Cuál es el precio con los cristales?
politeWhat is the price with the lenses?
Useful to confirm if the lenses ('cristales') are included in the price.