I have lost my glasses. What do I do?
PER-so — two syllables, stress on first. 'Perso' = lost. Simple irregular past participle of 'perdere'.
Urgent situation — visit an optician immediately. If you cannot see without glasses, ask for an urgent appointment.
'Ho perso gli occhiali' = I have lost my glasses. Options: contact your Italian optician for a replacement using your stored prescription, visit a new optician with any documentation of your prescription (photo of old glasses box, app-based prescription records). Some opticians can produce simple lenses very quickly ('servizio rapido'). In emergencies, inexpensive reading glasses are available at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Si sono rotti gli occhiali. Ho bisogno di un paio urgente.
My glasses broke. I need a pair urgently.
Broken glasses — some Italian opticians offer same-day or 24-hour services
Ho una foto della ricetta. Basta?
I have a photo of the prescription. Is that enough?
Often accepted in emergencies — but formal prescription is better
Posso ordinare gli occhiali online con la mia ricetta?
Can I order glasses online with my prescription?
Yes — Italian law allows online glasses purchase with a valid prescription
Italy has 'ottiche' (opticians) in virtually every town of any size. Major chains operate in shopping centres and high streets in every Italian city. A key tip for travellers: photograph your glasses prescription and store it in your phone photos and cloud backup. Italian opticians can often produce simple single-vision lenses within 24-48 hours for standard prescriptions. Italian post offices ('Poste Italiane') sell inexpensive reading glasses for presbyopes — useful for emergencies.