Delhi Travel Forum

I will be in and around Delhi from July to October this year and I would dearly like to buy myself a couple of pairs of spectacles. Does anybody have any suggestions? If so how long ought I to allow for their construction?
That's the important part of my visit! However, if anybody has any accommodation suggestions ( my tastes run to spartan, central-ish and clean) then I would be very pleased to listen.
I am a soon-to-retire teacher from Cambridge, UK.
Many thanks,
Chris

Generally, It took around 3days for construction of a pair of Spectacles. However, the time may vary depending upon the requirements & workload but u can, at any time, ask the shopkeeper to make it within ur stipulated time stating the urgency.

Regarding Accomodations, Delhi is aversatile city and thus offers lot of accomodation options. I had already answered the same just next (to u)in the same forum. Please, check it out and if u find any specific ques...pls ask freely.

A good place with excellent choice of frames, both non-branded and famous brands- and service is
Seventeen Arcade, at M-28-B, M-Block Market, G.K. I (Greater Kailsah I). This is a popular shopping market with Indians, and they are used to dealing with people from abroad.
I even have had them post me a couple of pairs to Europe via DHL, once they have the data and measurements on their files.
Complete spectacles with non-branded excellent quality frame cost me about 42 euros last year, whereas the same type for my son, who has a lot of astigmatism and needs maximum thinning, with all the anti-glare and other extras, came to about 78 euros. Progressive glasses in a frameless titanium frame worked out to about 135 euros.
You may contact them by e-mail at,
imran17arcade@yahoo.co.in
or telephone them (they speak excellent english)
00-91-29232457 / 29230017
Service is very quick, especially for standard lenses.

Remember though that different markets in Delhi have different closing days. The M-Block market closes on Tuesdays, so it will be open all day Saturday and Sunday.

Other reputed ones are Lawrence & Mayo in Janpath/ Connaught place, but I haven't been there for a number of years personally.
Hope this helps!

if you would prefer decent prices , then I would advise go to Om Opticals is Sarojini Nagar.

Address:

Main Market
Sarojini Nagar H.O.
Delhi - 110023
Landmark: Near St. Mark's School
Phone: 011-26874629


After several years of buying from so-called upscale, famous show-rooms, I discovered that Om Opticals has similar
collection, but much better prices.

I now buy from a pair from them whenever I go to India.

1. If you want to pay reasonably, go to a lane called "Ballimaraan" (it is in "chandni chowk" locality, near to red fort). It has more than hundred shops selling spectacles. Most of these are wholesellers which sell to retailers coming from entire India and neighbouring countries. But many of them oblige to buyers of one or two pieces too. Off course, there are no doctors or optometrist there, and you should carry your glass numbers (information like lens power, cylinderical or spherical, bifocal or other wise etc.)with you.
2. TRy "Hotel Arpit Place"(or is it "Arpit Palace" ?) in Karol Bagh, Delhi.