Hello all. So here's my story: first, I have bad eyesight; not blind, but my contact lenses/glasses are pretty potent. Second, I leave 1 week from today. Having said that, to make a loooong story short, there is an issue with my vision script at the dr's office and as a result, when I finally get it, it will not leave me with enough time to order contacts and receive them before I go and my strength/brand isn't kept "instock" in most places (see point #1). But I really want/need the d contact lens strength. I was thinking of possibly just waiting until I get to Florence and buying them there, especially considering even if I do next-day air here it's going to add much more to the cost and I still don't want to take that chance. Has anyone needed to buy prescription contacts/glasses in Italy? Where in Florence would I go? Would it be in a farmacia? Does anyone know if the prescriptions from here are compatible with what they sell? Or maybe order them here and get them sent to my Florence address? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
I myself use tailored-made contact lenses that are not kept in stock. In Milan, when I used to order them (lived there for a good time), it usually took 6-10 days for the lenses to be delivered. Most lenses sold in Italy are imported from UK. Lenses are sold in specialized stores that sell glasses as well. You'd better order your lenses at home and have they sent to you Italy address. However, there is a caveat: lenses are considered imports and subject to VAT (you have to pay the courier or post office before retrieving the lenses). I speak from my own experience of having lenses sent from Laramie, WY to Milano and being hit with an invoice for VAT + import tax (~22% of total value, including freight costs).