Best Eye Clinics in Kathmandu (2026): Our Top 5 Picks
The best eye clinic in Kathmandu depends on what you need. For a free eye test and a new pair of glasses, Blurkart (Lalitpur and Boudha) is our top pick. For cataract, glaucoma, retina or other medical eye problems, go to a hospital: Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal Eye Hospital, BPKLCOS or Kirtipur Eye Hospital.
Last updated: October 2026
Quick answer: which is the best eye clinic in Kathmandu?
There is no single best eye clinic in Kathmandu for every problem. For a free eye test and new glasses, Blurkart (Lalitpur and Boudha) is our first pick. For cataract, glaucoma, retina problems, eye injuries or surgery, choose one of the valley's eye hospitals: Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal Eye Hospital, B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, or Kirtipur Eye Hospital.
Searching for an eye clinic in Kathmandu can be confusing, because the word "clinic" covers very different places: hospitals with eye surgeons, optical shops that test your sight, and everything in between. Picking the wrong type wastes a morning, or worse, delays treatment for something that needed a doctor.
This guide ranks five trusted options in and around the Kathmandu Valley and explains exactly what each one is best for, so you can go to the right place the first time.
A note on how we ranked them. We are Blurkart, and we have listed ourselves first because for the most common reason people search for an eye clinic, a routine eye test and a pair of glasses, that is what we do every day. We are an optical and eye-test centre, not a hospital. The other four entries are the hospitals we would point you to for medical and surgical eye care. They are described using publicly available information, and details can change, so always confirm timings and fees with the clinic before you go.
Top 5 eye clinics in Kathmandu at a glance
| # | Clinic | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blurkart | Lalitpur (Pulchowk) and Boudha | Free eye test, glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses |
| 2 | Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology | Gaushala, Bagmati Bridge | Complex cases, surgery, second opinions |
| 3 | Nepal Eye Hospital | Tripureshwor | General eye care, cataract clinic, 24-hour emergency |
| 4 | B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies (BPKLCOS) | Maharajgunj (TU Teaching Hospital) | University hospital care and specialist referrals |
| 5 | Kirtipur Eye Hospital (Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh) | Kirtipur | Affordable, community-focused eye care |
1. Blurkart: best for a free eye test and glasses
Blurkart is an eyewear store and eye-test centre with two branches in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the right first stop if your goal is simple: find out whether you need glasses, get your prescription checked, and walk out with frames and lenses that suit your face and budget.
Why Blurkart ranks first for everyday eye care
- Free eye test. You can have your sight checked at no charge, with no obligation to buy.
- Test and glasses in one visit. You can go from prescription to frame selection in the same place, instead of carrying a paper prescription between shops.
- Wide eyewear range. Designer frames, prescription glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses are available under one roof.
- Two convenient valley locations. One in Lalitpur and one in Boudha, so you do not need to cross the city.
- Strong customer ratings. Blurkart is rated 5.0 on Google from 424 reviews at the time of writing.
Blurkart branches and opening hours
| Branch | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lalitpur | Situngah Galli, Pulchowk, Lalitpur (near Labim Mall) | +977-9813264468 |
| Boudha | Opposite KFC, on the main road in Boudha | +977-9766383285 |
Opening hours: Sunday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Main contact: +977-9811714300, [email protected].
Who should choose Blurkart
Choose Blurkart if your vision has become blurry, you get headaches or eye strain from screens, you want to update an old prescription, or you simply need new glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses. Book your free eye test here.
When Blurkart is not the right place
An eye test at an optical centre checks how well you see and what lenses you need. It does not replace a medical examination by an ophthalmologist. If you have eye pain, a red and painful eye, discharge, sudden changes in vision, or a known eye disease such as glaucoma, go to a hospital from the list below.
2. Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology: best for complex cases and surgery
Location: Gaushala, Bagmati Bridge, Kathmandu. Website: tilganga.org
Tilganga is probably the best-known eye hospital in Nepal. It is the implementing body of the Nepal Eye Program, which was launched in 1992, and the World Health Organization recognised it as a WHO Collaborating Centre in 2019. The internationally known eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit is associated with the institute.
Reported services include modern cataract surgery, corneal transplant, glaucoma surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, orbital surgery, strabismus (squint) surgery and refractive surgery. Tilganga also manufactures intraocular lenses (the artificial lens placed in the eye during cataract surgery) and trains eye-care professionals from Nepal and abroad.
Best for: complicated or advanced eye conditions, surgery, and second opinions. Expect it to be busy, so go early and bring any previous reports.
3. Nepal Eye Hospital: best for general eye care and emergencies
Location: Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. Website: nepaleyehospital.org
Established in 1974, Nepal Eye Hospital describes itself as the first eye hospital in Nepal. It offers outpatient services, specialist consultation, a cataract clinic, paediatric eye services and orthoptics (assessment and treatment of eye movement and alignment problems). It also provides inpatient care and a 24-hour emergency service.
According to a June 2026 news report, the hospital sees roughly 700 to 900 patients a day and runs regular services from Sunday to Friday. Patient registration begins at 8:30 am each day, and specialist examination continues until about 3:00 pm.
Best for: general eye problems, cataract assessment, children's eye problems, and eye emergencies. Because of the daily patient volume, arrive early.
4. B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies: best for university-hospital care
Location: Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu. Website: bpklcos.edu.np
BPKLCOS was established in 1996 as a collaboration between the Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, the B.P. Eye Foundation and Lions Clubs International. Its stated mission combines education, service and research, and it trains ophthalmologists and eye-care workers for Nepal.
A 2026 recruitment notice from the centre sought clinical registrars in vitreo-retinal surgery and paediatric ophthalmology, which points to those areas of specialist care. As a teaching centre inside a large university hospital, it can be a good option when you may need other medical departments involved in your care.
Best for: specialist consultations and patients who prefer a public university hospital setting.
5. Kirtipur Eye Hospital: best for affordable, community-focused care
Location: Tahalcha, Tinkune, Kirtipur-10. Run by: Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS)
Kirtipur Eye Hospital is part of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh, the national society for comprehensive eye care, which has its head office in Tripureshwor and was established in 1978. NNJS reports operating 28 eye hospitals and 160 eye-care centres across Nepal.
The hospital is supported by the UK-based Ridley Eye Foundation to carry out free cataract surgeries in remote, high-altitude regions, and it was visited by the Duchess of Edinburgh, a global ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, in February 2025.
Best for: affordable eye care and cataract treatment, especially if you live in the western side of the valley.
Eye clinic, eye hospital or optical shop: which do you need?
| Your situation | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Blurry distance or near vision, headaches, screen strain | Eye-test centre such as Blurkart |
| Need new glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses | Eye-test centre such as Blurkart |
| Cloudy vision, glare, suspected cataract | Eye hospital (Tilganga, Nepal Eye Hospital, Kirtipur) |
| High eye pressure, glaucoma, diabetic eye checks, retina problems | Eye hospital with specialist clinics |
| Red, painful or discharging eye | Eye hospital or doctor the same day |
| Eye injury, chemical splash, sudden vision loss | Hospital emergency immediately |
Go to the hospital immediately if you notice these signs
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- A curtain or dark shadow spreading across your vision
- A sudden shower of new floaters or flashes of light
- Severe eye pain, or a red eye with reduced vision
- Any eye injury, or a chemical splash in the eye
These can signal conditions such as retinal detachment, acute glaucoma or infection, where hours matter. Do not wait for an optical-shop appointment.
How to choose the right eye clinic for you
- Start with your symptom. Blurry vision and strain usually point to an eye test. Pain, injury or sudden changes point to a hospital.
- Check timings before you travel. Hospitals have registration cut-offs and queues, and opening days can change.
- Ask about cost up front. Consultation fees, tests and procedures vary, so confirm before you commit.
- Bring your history. Take your current glasses, any old prescription, and a list of medicines and past eye reports.
- Get a second opinion for surgery. For any operation, it is reasonable to consult a second specialist first.
What to expect at your first eye test
A standard eye test usually covers your history and symptoms, a check of how clearly you see at distance and near, and a measurement of your prescription for each eye. If the test suggests something beyond a simple prescription change, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist for a full medical examination. Visit with your old glasses, and tell the examiner about headaches, screen use and any family history of eye disease.
The bottom line
If you need a free eye test and a good pair of glasses, start with Blurkart in Lalitpur or Boudha. If something more serious is going on, Tilganga, Nepal Eye Hospital, BPKLCOS and Kirtipur Eye Hospital are the hospitals to turn to. Whichever you choose, do not put off an eye test: many eye conditions are easiest to treat when they are caught early.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Clinic details were gathered from public sources and may change; please confirm hours, services and fees directly with each clinic. If you have a symptom that worries you, see a doctor.
Frequently asked
- Which is the best eye clinic in Kathmandu?
- It depends on your need. For a free eye test, glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses, Blurkart in Lalitpur (Pulchowk) or Boudha is our top pick. For medical or surgical eye problems such as cataract, glaucoma, retina disease or eye injury, the main options are Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal Eye Hospital, B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies and Kirtipur Eye Hospital.
- Where can I get a free eye test in Kathmandu?
- Blurkart offers a free eye test at its branches in Lalitpur (Situngah Galli, Pulchowk, near Labim Mall) and Boudha (opposite KFC on the main road). Visit during opening hours, Sunday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, or start from the Free Eye Test page on the Blurkart website.
- What is the difference between an eye clinic, an eye hospital and an optical shop?
- An eye hospital has ophthalmologists (eye doctors) who diagnose and treat eye disease and perform surgery. An optical shop or eye-test centre measures your vision and fits glasses or contact lenses. Use an optical centre for a routine sight test and glasses, and a hospital for pain, infection, sudden vision changes, cataract, glaucoma or retina problems.
- Which hospital in Kathmandu is best for cataract surgery?
- Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Nepal Eye Hospital and Kirtipur Eye Hospital all provide cataract care, and Nepal Eye Hospital runs a dedicated cataract clinic. Which is best for you depends on your eye condition, the surgeon and your budget, so book a consultation and ask each hospital about the procedure, lens options and cost.
- Where should I go for an eye emergency in Kathmandu?
- Go straight to a hospital eye emergency service. Nepal Eye Hospital in Tripureshwor states that it provides a 24-hour emergency service. Do not wait for an optical shop appointment if you have sudden vision loss, a chemical splash, an eye injury, severe pain or a curtain-like shadow across your vision.
- How often should I get my eyes tested?
- Most healthy adults should have an eye test about every one to two years, and sooner if your vision changes, you get headaches or eye strain, or you have a family history of eye disease. Children should be tested if they squint, sit very close to screens or struggle to see the board at school.
- Do I need an appointment for an eye test in Kathmandu?
- Optical eye-test centres usually accept walk-ins during opening hours, but calling ahead avoids a wait. Large hospitals run on registration and queues, so arrive early. Nepal Eye Hospital, for example, begins patient registration at 8:30 am. Always confirm current timings and fees directly with the clinic.