This afternoon, I visited Lunettes Art Lab, a Korean-owned optical store in Surry Hills, Sydney, for my annual vision test and eye health checkup.
In Australia, Medicare—similar to Korea’s health insurance system—covers routine eye exams. Thanks to this, I make it a habit to get my eyes checked every January. While I usually go to a local optical store near my home, today I decided to try something new and visit this charming shop in the heart of Surry Hills.
Lunettes Art Lab
Address: 249 Riley St. Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia
Opening Hours: MON-FRI: 10:00-18:00
SAT-SUN: 10:00-16:00
Contact Details: +61 2 8385 4996
Email: info@lunettesartlab.com
Website: www.lunettesartlab.com
I first discovered Lunettes Art Lab through Threads, the social platform everyone’s buzzing about these days, much like Instagram.
The owner’s posts caught my eye; his genuine passion for eyewear and dedication to eye health were hard to miss.
Intrigued, I made a reservation and was excited to finally check it out.
Arriving a little early for my appointment turned out to be a treat—I had the chance to chat with the owner and learn about his fascinating journey.
He majored in optometry in Korea and has over 15 years of experience in eyewear repair. Before opening his store, he worked for an eyewear company and even started out in his garage, dedicating countless hours to studying and perfecting his craft.
Here’s the coolest part: he’s Australia’s only French-certified handcrafted eyewear maker!
He explained how essential a proper fit is—not just the prescription, but how the glasses sit on your face. When I booked my appointment, he asked me to bring my glasses and sunglasses. I brought along the sunglasses I wear daily, and to my surprise, he adjusted them right there on the spot. They’d always felt a bit uncomfortable, slipping here and there, but after his adjustments, they fit perfectly. That’s when it hit me: ah, proper fitting makes all the difference!
The eye health check itself was done by another Korean optometrist, who was kind and thorough in explaining my results. Thankfully, I don’t need glasses yet—but I couldn’t help letting out a little sigh. I’m doing my best to delay wearing glasses for as long as possible, but my body keeps reminding me: “You’re not getting any younger!” 😅
Regular eye exams are so important for maintaining good vision and overall health.
They can catch changes in your eyesight, detect early signs of eye diseases, and even uncover systemic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. For kids, eye exams are crucial to monitor vision development and address digital eye strain caused by screens.
And for those of us over 40 (yes, I’m looking at you, presbyopia and cataracts!), annual checkups are a must. In Australia especially, with its harsh sunlight, protecting and maintaining our eye health is even more critical.
Lunettes Art Lab is nothing like your typical optical store in a shopping centre. True to its name, it feels more like an art lab, where eyewear design meets genuine care. The owner’s passion is evident in every corner of the shop. Plus, there’s a hidden gem upstairs: Lunettes Art Gallery, where local artists’ works are on display. I didn’t have a chance to visit the gallery today, but it’s definitely on my list for next time.
I’m so glad I chose to try Lunettes Art Lab this year for my checkup. If you’re in Sydney and care about quality eyewear and exceptional service, I highly recommend paying them a visit.
Regular eye exams aren’t just about keeping your vision sharp—they’re an investment in your overall health.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this inspires someone to take a little extra care of their eyes this year!
Thanks for the reminder about eye health 🙏