Kids' sunglasses sizing at Ilgwang optical shop in Gijang: Barabon

Barabon Glasses Ilgwang New City Branch: an optical shop right across from the children's hospital

Barabon Glasses Ilgwang New City Branch is an eyewear shop at 107-3 Haebit 6-ro, 1st floor, Ilgwang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, and it's open 10:00-20:00. I went to buy sunglasses for my babies. There's a children's hospital right in front, so I'd passed by often, and since I was already there for a hospital visit, I stopped in to look at sunglasses for the kids.

Barabon Glasses, an eyewear shop in Ilgwang New City, really stands out — maybe because actress Go Yoon-jung is the model on their signage.

Where to park near Barabon Glasses in Ilgwang New City

Roadside parking in front of Barabon Glasses Ilgwang New City Branch is only allowed from 11:30 AM-2:00 PM and after 6:00 PM. There aren't many parking spots in Ilgwang New City, and enforcement has gotten pretty strict lately, so you have to be careful.

You can use the parking behind the shopping building or the KS parking lot, which gets you 30 minutes free. The KS parking lot is in the Mart King building, diagonally across from Ilgwang Children's Hospital.

Monthly wear lenses 1+1, plus warm-tone and cool-tone color lenses

Barabon Glasses also has a 1+1 promotion on monthly disposable lenses. With so many prices and colors, choosing lenses looks like it'd be fun.

Walking into Barabon Glasses, you get a bright feeling and can browse all kinds of glasses and lenses. I had LASIK surgery so I don't wear lenses anymore, but I wore them a lot before the surgery. Lenses these days come in even more variety than before — there are warm-tone and cool-tone options matched to skin tone, and various durations, so it seems like a great place to pick some out in person.

What frames and safety glasses does Barabon Glasses carry?

The frames come in a huge variety of shapes and colors too. These days people wear glasses not just for poor eyesight but often for eye protection after surgery, or just for fashion. My husband and I both had LASIK, and since we both do a lot of computer work at our jobs, computer glasses are a must — we each own one or two pairs.

Every time I go to Barabon Glasses in Ilgwang, there are so many options it takes forever to choose. That's the upside though — so many pretty glasses. My husband and I get our eyes checked regularly and swap out our glasses, and since we've bought from Barabon Glasses before, we'll probably head back soon for computer glasses.

There are glasses worn by celebrities scattered around the shop too. I spotted a few I'd seen on TV and thought, oh, that's the pretty one I was curious about! Along with glasses, there are sunglasses, goggles, lenses, and even glasses and sunglasses for babies.

Buying two pairs of baby sunglasses sized by age

Barabon Glasses Ilgwang New City Branch has baby sunglasses at a range of prices, colors, shapes, and sizes. I never wore sunglasses as a kid, but these days I think it's better for babies to wear them early for eye protection. My first kid already has a pair from a gift, but my second needed one, so since I was there anyway, I bought two.

Baby sunglasses come in so many sizes that it's really better to try them on in person. Since my kids were at daycare and I went alone, I was confused about sizing, but the owner recommended sizes based on each child's age, so I went with that. The sky blue pair was for my younger one, and the cream pair was meant for my older one — but luckily the sky blue turned out to be too small for the older one, so it worked out just right.

Eye exams and the waiting area at Barabon Glasses

Since I was just buying baby sunglasses, I didn't get an eye exam, but if you're buying glasses, Barabon Glasses can do the exam right there. The owner personally checks your eyes and confirms your condition, so it's worth getting checked whenever you visit.

There's also a coffee machine and water dispenser set up in one corner. Since it takes a bit of time to get an eye exam and have glasses made to match, you can just wait there in the meantime :)