Broke or Lost Your Glasses While Traveling in Nepal? Here's What to Do
Short answer: Yes — Vision Concern can make most replacement glasses the same day, at any of its three Kathmandu branches (Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal, Makalbari), open daily 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM, no appointment needed.
Travelling in Nepal and need glasses or contact lenses fast?
Send a photo of your prescription or old glasses on WhatsApp — we reply within minutes with price and ready time. Eye exam US$3, by appointment; glasses often ready the same day. Optical shops in Lazimpat (near Thamel) & Boudha open daily 8 AM – 8:30 PM. Card & cash accepted.
Breaking or losing your glasses in the middle of a Kathmandu Valley visit, an Everest Base Camp or Annapurna trek, or a pilgrimage to Boudhanath or Lumbini does not have to derail your trip. Vision Concern reads international prescription formats (SPH/CYL/AXIS) directly — from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost anywhere else — with no conversion needed.
What to bring
- Your old glasses, even broken — the prescription can usually be read directly from the lenses
- A photo of your prescription on your phone, if you have one
- If you have neither: a full eye exam on-site takes about 20-30 minutes
Travel insurance reimbursement
Most travel insurance policies (from Europe, North America, and elsewhere) reimburse a necessary replacement pair of glasses abroad when you submit a detailed invoice. Ask our staff for an English-language receipt that includes your prescription details — we're happy to provide one for your claim.
Payment
We accept cash (NPR), major international credit and debit cards, and Alipay / WeChat Pay for visitors from China.
Pricing
A standard pair (frame plus single-vision lenses) typically starts from around $15-25 USD equivalent. ZEISS branded lenses and progressive (multifocal) lenses cost more, and the exact price is always confirmed before your order is made.
Trekking or visiting Boudhanath?
If you're heading above 3,000m, ask about our category-4 UV/glacier sunglasses to prevent snow blindness. Our Boudha-Tushal branch is a short walk from Boudhanath Stupa and regularly assists Buddhist pilgrims and monks with reading glasses, basic eye checks, and referrals for cataract care.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an appointment?
No. All three branches (Lazimpat, Boudha-Tushal, Makalbari) welcome walk-ins daily from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
Can you use my foreign prescription without converting it?
Yes. The international SPH/CYL/AXIS format is read directly, with no conversion needed.
How long does it take to make new glasses?
Most standard prescriptions are ready the same day. Complex progressive lenses may take 1-2 days.
What if I've lost my old glasses too?
An on-site eye exam takes about 20-30 minutes and is included in the cost of your new glasses.
Can I get a receipt for my travel insurance claim?
Yes, a detailed English-language invoice with your prescription is available on request.
What does a replacement pair cost?
Standard frames with single-vision lenses start around $15-25 USD equivalent; ZEISS and progressive lenses cost more, confirmed before you order.
Travelling in Nepal and need glasses or contact lenses fast?
Send a photo of your prescription or old glasses on WhatsApp — we reply within minutes with price and ready time. Eye exam US$3, by appointment; glasses often ready the same day. Optical shops in Lazimpat (near Thamel) & Boudha open daily 8 AM – 8:30 PM. Card & cash accepted.
Yes. Many visitors, particularly from Bangladesh and West Bengal (Kolkata), come to Nepal for cataract, retina, or other eye surgery at a hospital and also want new glasses, a general eye exam, or contact lenses at the same time, before or after their procedure. Vision Concern is an optical and eye-examination clinic, not a surgical hospital, so we work alongside hospitals such as Tilganga: we are happy to see you for glasses, contact lenses, or a routine check-up either side of your surgical treatment elsewhere.
No conversion is needed. Eyeglass prescriptions from Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Russia, and almost every other country use the same international format, SPH (sphere), CYL (cylinder), and AXIS, measured in diopters. Our opticians read this directly, so you can bring your prescription paper, a photo of it on your phone, or simply your current glasses, and we will use the same values. If your prescription is more than a year or two old, we recommend a quick, free re-check before we make your new pair.
Yes. Above roughly 3,000 metres, UV exposure increases sharply because of the thinner atmosphere and reflection off snow, and ordinary sunglasses (category 2-3) do not block enough UV to prevent snow blindness (photokeratitis). We recommend glacier glasses or category-4 sunglasses with side shields, and can fit these with your own prescription if needed. Vision Concern offers ZEISS polarized, UV400-certified sunglasses with prescription lenses, which we can prepare before you set off on your trek.