Where to Buy Eyeglasses in Quiapo (2026 Guide)
Updated 29 September 2026
Quiapo is the cheapest place in Metro Manila to get prescription glasses. A complete pair with an eye check typically costs ₱1,000 to ₱2,500 and is often ready the same day. Here is where the shops are, which ones buyers recommend, and how to avoid the usual mistakes.
The three places to look
1. P. Paterno Street
The original optical street, running between Rizal Avenue and Quiapo Church. Shops sit side by side for several blocks, and many have an optometrist on site. This is also where the wholesale suppliers that stock the retail shops are based.
2. Emerald Circle building, Rizal Avenue
The green building at 464 Rizal Avenue, right beside Carriedo station, is packed with small optical clinics on the ground and second floors. It is the easiest spot to compare several shops in ten minutes without walking the streets.
3. Hidalgo Street and Estero Cegado
Hidalgo runs from Quiapo Church toward San Sebastian Church and is better known for cameras, but has a few optical clinics. Estero Cegado, by Isetann Carriedo, has several more.
Shops buyers mention
These are clinics that appear repeatedly in buyer posts and shop listings. None of them pays to be here. Hours come from the shops' own listings and change often, so message ahead.
| Shop | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UniQQ Optical Clinic | 756 Hidalgo St; branches at Isetann Carriedo and Emerald Circle | Own lab, advertises glasses in about 30 minutes. Open daily. |
| Occhio Optical | Carriedo Plaza 2, beside Jollibee, Paterno St | Advertised ₱999 package with eye check and anti-reflective lenses |
| ABB Optical Clinic | Emerald Circle, stalls E-22 and P-08 | Offers high-index photochromic blue-cut lenses |
| Ardys Optical Clinic | Emerald Circle, 464 Rizal Ave | Photochromic package with fast processing. Open daily. |
| 8Specs Optical | Carriedo Plaza, Estero Cegado entrance | Open daily 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Helens Optical Shop | 422 Estero Cegado St | Well reviewed for adjustments and night-glare lenses |
| Cyber Vision Optical | 609 P. Paterno St | Long-standing Paterno Street shop |
| SOE Eye Clinic | 648 and 728 P. Paterno St | Formerly Standard Optical |
How buying glasses in Quiapo works
- Eye check. Most clinics include a free refraction when you buy glasses. It should be done by a licensed optometrist; you can check any name at the PRC's online verification site.
- Pick a frame. Frames start around ₱400. Branded-looking frames at very low prices are usually copies; that is fine for style, but don't pay designer prices for them.
- Choose lenses. This is where the price moves most. See what glasses cost in Quiapo and which lens options are worth it.
- Wait or come back. Simple single-vision glasses are often ready in 30 minutes to an hour. Photochromic lenses can take a few hours, and progressives or high prescriptions can take a few days if the lenses have to be ordered.
Tips from people who have done it
- Go on a weekday morning. Fridays are the busiest day in Quiapo because of the Black Nazarene devotion at the church.
- Bring your old glasses or prescription. It gives the optometrist a starting point and lets you compare.
- Mind your phone and wallet. Quiapo is known for pickpockets. Keep valuables in front and carry only what you need. Many shops take GCash.
- Ask what "anti-radiation" means. It is a local name for an anti-reflective coating. It is worth having, but it does not block radiation.
- Ask which lens brand you are getting. Two ₱1,000 pairs can use very different lenses. A shop that names the brand and index is a good sign.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to get an eye exam in Quiapo?
Yes, at a proper clinic with a licensed optometrist. The Professional Regulation Commission has warned against unlicensed practice, so it is reasonable to ask for the optometrist's name and check it on the PRC verification site.
Can I get glasses the same day?
Usually, for single-vision lenses in common prescriptions. Many shops quote 30 minutes to an hour. Progressive and high-index lenses may take a few days.
Is Quiapo cheaper than the malls?
Generally, yes. Mall chains advertise complete packages from around ₱900 to ₱1,300, but upgrades such as progressives or photochromic lenses cost far more there. See the price guide for a comparison.
Where can I buy colored contact lenses?
Buy only from a clinic, and only brands registered with the FDA. The FDA has issued warnings about specific unregistered colored lenses sold online.