I can speak from personal experience here because I got my first pair of contact lenses in the Philippines back in 1980. I had only worn eyeglasses prior to that and I believe that the transistion would not have been so easy in the states. All of my kids started their contact lens wearing in the states as well as my wife and I could tell you about some real horror stories by the supposed trained people in the Malls in the U.S.

I thought I would also mention that I also wear contact lenses and when I arrived in Bohol I had some saved up but regardless they eventually ran out and when I needed more all I had to do was to bring the box of my lenses in and they just gave me more without any required exam. I opted for an eye exam later which was real cheap just so I could make sure my eyes haven’t gotten any worse over time but I just thought I would mention how an actual prescription wasn’t even asked for at least on my island.