Eye Problems in Japan – Guide for Tourists

Eye trouble during a trip can quickly turn a sightseeing day into a stressful one. This guide covers the most common eye problems travelers face in Japan, what to buy at a pharmacy, when to see an ophthalmologist, and how Japanese eye clinics work.

Common Eye Problems for Tourists

Most eye complaints from international visitors fall into a few familiar categories. Identifying which one fits your symptoms helps you decide whether to manage it with pharmacy products or to see an eye doctor.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye). Redness, watery or sticky discharge, and a gritty feeling. Viral conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting; bacterial cases may need antibiotic eye drops; allergic cases respond to antihistamine drops. If both eyes are red and itchy, allergy is most likely.
Dry eyes. Long flights, hotel air conditioning, and screen time on long Shinkansen rides all contribute. Symptoms include burning, blurred vision that improves with blinking, and a feeling of grit. Lubricating drops (preservative-free if used often) provide quick relief.
Allergic eye reactions. Japan’s spring cedar pollen (sugi) season runs roughly from mid-February to early May and is unusually severe by global standards. Symptoms are itching, swelling, and watery discharge in both eyes, often with a runny nose.
Foreign object in the eye. Sand at the beach, an eyelash, or a contact lens that has shifted. The sensation is sharp and persistent. Do not rub — that is the most common way to scratch the cornea.
Contact lens problems. A lost or torn lens, a lens that feels stuck, or pain after wearing lenses for too long. Persistent pain after removing the lens may signal a corneal abrasion or infection and needs an eye doctor.
Stye (monomorai). A red, tender bump on the eyelid edge. Usually resolves with warm compresses; pharmacy eye drops can ease symptoms. See a doctor if it grows large or does not improve in a few days.
Eye injury or trauma. A direct hit to the eye, a chemical splash, or a piece of metal or glass in the eye is an emergency — see the section below.

What to Do First

For most non-traumatic eye complaints, simple first-aid steps make a real difference and often resolve the problem.

Stop touching or rubbing the eye. Rubbing can scratch the cornea and turn a minor irritation into a serious one.
Remove your contact lenses and switch to glasses for the rest of the day. Many problems improve once the lens is out.
If something is in your eye, rinse gently with clean water or saline. Tilt your head so the affected eye is lower; let water flow from the inner corner outward for 10–15 seconds. Bottled mineral water works in a pinch.
Visit a pharmacy and ask for “megusuri” (eye drops). Tell the pharmacist whether your symptoms are itching (likely allergy), redness with discharge (possible infection), or simple dryness. They will recommend a suitable over-the-counter option.
See an ophthalmologist if symptoms persist beyond 24–48 hours, if pain is severe, if your vision is affected, or if the eye becomes very red and sensitive to light.

Buying Eye Care Products at Japanese Pharmacies

Japanese drugstores carry a wide range of eye drops, contact lens supplies, and basic vision aids. Most large stations and shopping districts have a 24-hour drugstore nearby.

Eye Drops (Megusuri)

General-purpose drops for redness, fatigue, and minor irritation.
Allergy drops with antihistamine for itching and watery eyes — very common during pollen season.
Antibacterial drops for mild bacterial infection or stye. The pharmacist can guide you; severe infections need a doctor’s prescription.
Lubricating / artificial tears for dryness. Choose preservative-free single-dose vials if you use them more than 4–5 times a day.

Contact Lens Supplies

Contact lens solution, cases, and rewetting drops are sold in any drugstore. However, contact lenses themselves require a prescription in Japan — you cannot simply buy replacements over the counter the way you might in some countries. If you lose your lenses, you will need either a same-day eye exam (most contact specialty shops can arrange this) or to wear glasses until you can.

Glasses

Major Japanese eyewear chains such as Zoff and JINS make glasses in around 30–60 minutes for many standard prescriptions. Bring a copy of your prescription if you have one, or have an in-store eye check (often free or low-cost). Frames and lenses together typically run ¥5,000–¥20,000 depending on options.

How to Ask at the Pharmacy

“Me ga itai desu” — My eye hurts.
“Me ga kayui desu” — My eye is itchy.
“Megusuri o kudasai” — Please give me eye drops.
“Kontakuto renzu no hozonyaku wa arimasu ka?” — Do you have contact lens solution?

Finding an Eye Doctor (Ophthalmologist)

An ophthalmologist clinic is called a ganka (眼科) in Japanese. Look for the kanji or for “Eye Clinic” on signage in major cities.

In Major Cities

Many central Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto eye clinics accept walk-in patients without an appointment, although you may wait 30–90 minutes. International-friendly clinics are easier to find through our city guides:

In Regional and Rural Areas

Outside major cities, eye clinics typically operate by appointment only. Ask your hotel or ryokan front desk to call on your behalf and explain your symptoms in Japanese. Same-day appointments are often possible if you call early in the morning.

English-Speaking Eye Doctors

English-language ophthalmology service is mostly limited to major-city international clinics. Outside these, plan on using a translation app or having someone interpret. Visual exams (chart reading, slit lamp) are largely non-verbal, so a basic appointment is manageable even with limited shared language.

Online Consultation as an Alternative

For non-urgent eye issues such as mild allergy or dryness, online doctor consultations are a useful alternative. Some services accept photos of the affected eye; the doctor can then recommend an over-the-counter product or refer you to an in-person clinic if needed. Online care is not appropriate for sudden vision loss, severe pain, or any injury — those require an in-person eye doctor.

What to Expect at a Japanese Eye Clinic

A Japanese eye clinic visit is structured around a few standard tests, most of which are familiar even if you have never been to a doctor in Japan before.

Reception. Bring your passport and travel insurance card. The medical questionnaire (monshinhyo) is usually in Japanese; a translation app on your phone handles this in a minute or two.
Vision check. Japanese eye charts use the Landolt C — a ring with a gap on one side. The technician points to a ring; you indicate the direction of the gap (up, down, left, right) by pointing or saying “ue / shita / hidari / migi.” The 1.0 score on a Japanese chart is approximately equivalent to 20/20 vision.
Slit lamp examination. The doctor uses a microscope with a bright slit of light to look at the surface of your eye, the cornea, and the front of the lens. Painless and quick.
Intraocular pressure check. A short puff of air against the eye measures pressure (a screen for glaucoma). It is startling but takes only a second.
Examination and diagnosis. A typical visit takes 15–30 minutes. The doctor explains findings, often with a diagram or by showing you a photo of your eye on a screen.
Prescription. Most clinics do not dispense medicine themselves. You take a paper prescription (shohosen) to a nearby dispensing pharmacy (chozai yakkyoku), usually within walking distance.

Contact Lens Emergencies

Contact lens problems are among the most common eye complaints from travelers. Most are manageable, but a few require immediate attention.

Lost a lens. Switch to glasses if you have them. To replace lenses, visit a contact lens specialty shop or eye clinic; both can perform a basic eye check and dispense lenses the same day in many cases. You cannot legally buy lenses in Japan without a prescription, even for repeat orders.
Lens torn or damaged. Discard immediately and switch to glasses. A torn lens scratched against the cornea can cause an abrasion within hours.
Lens feels stuck or “lost behind the eye.” A lens cannot physically go behind the eyeball — the conjunctiva forms a continuous membrane that prevents this. The lens has usually folded under the upper lid. Look down, gently lift the upper lid, and the lens often becomes visible. Saline drops can help float it free.
Pain after removing the lens, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, or discharge. These can signal a corneal abrasion or infection (including keratitis). Stop wearing lenses, switch to glasses, and see an eye doctor the same day — corneal infections can progress quickly and damage vision permanently if untreated.

Insurance & Cost

Without Japanese national health insurance, foreign visitors typically pay full out-of-pocket prices. Most travel insurance policies cover ophthalmology visits and prescription eye drops on the same terms as other outpatient care.

Approximate Costs Without Insurance

Eye clinic initial consultation: ¥3,000 – ¥8,000
Prescription eye drops: ¥500 – ¥2,000 per bottle
Contact lens prescription / fitting: ¥3,000 – ¥5,000
Replacement disposable lenses (one-month supply): ¥3,000 – ¥6,000
Glasses (chain store, frame plus lens): ¥5,000 – ¥20,000

Documents to Request

Always ask for an itemized receipt (ryoshusho). For insurance reimbursement, request a brief medical certificate (shindansho) describing the diagnosis and treatment. An English-language certificate may carry an extra fee (typically ¥3,000–¥5,000) but is essential for many insurers.

When Eye Problems Become an Emergency

Some eye conditions can damage vision permanently within hours. The following situations require immediate care — do not wait for clinic hours.

Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, partial or complete — possible retinal detachment, stroke, or vascular occlusion. Call 119.
Chemical splash in the eye. Rinse immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes — do not stop early. Then call 119 or go straight to a hospital emergency department. Bring the container of the substance if possible.
Direct blunt trauma or a penetrating injury. Do not press on the eye. Cover loosely with a clean cloth (do not bandage tightly), do not remove any embedded object, and call 119.
Severe eye pain with nausea and vomiting, sometimes with halos around lights — can indicate acute angle-closure glaucoma. Untreated, this can cause permanent vision loss within hours.
New flashes of light, a sudden shower of floaters, or a curtain across vision may signal retinal detachment. See an eye doctor the same day, or go to an emergency department after hours.

For broader emergency procedures, see our Medical Emergency in Japan guide.

Prevention Tips

A few simple habits significantly reduce the chance of an eye problem disrupting your trip.

Wear sunglasses outdoors, especially in summer. UV exposure in Japanese summer is intense; sunglasses with UV protection reduce the risk of photokeratitis and long-term damage.
Practice strict contact lens hygiene. Wash hands before handling lenses, never use tap water to rinse them, never sleep in non-extended-wear lenses, and replace them on schedule.
For pollen season (February–May), consider wraparound or goggle-style glasses sold in any pharmacy or eyewear store. They block a meaningful percentage of airborne pollen reaching the eye.
Pack a backup pair of glasses and an extra week of contact lenses beyond your trip length.
Carry a copy of your prescription (paper or photo on your phone). It speeds up replacement glasses or lenses if you lose yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I buy eye drops at a Japanese pharmacy without a prescription?

Yes. Japanese drugstores carry a wide range of over-the-counter eye drops for redness, dryness, allergy, and mild infection. Tell the pharmacist your main symptom (itching, dryness, redness, or discharge) so they can recommend a suitable product. For severe pain, persistent symptoms, or vision changes, see an ophthalmologist instead of self-treating.

Q. How do I find an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) in Japan?

An ophthalmologist clinic is called a ganka. In major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, many clinics accept walk-in patients, although waits of 30–90 minutes are common. Outside major cities, clinics usually operate by appointment — ask your hotel or ryokan to call on your behalf. International-friendly clinics are listed in our city guides.

Q. Can I buy contact lenses in Japan without a prescription?

No. Contact lenses are regulated as medical devices in Japan and require a prescription. If you lose your lenses, visit a contact lens specialty shop or eye clinic — most can perform a same-day eye check and dispense lenses immediately. Bringing a copy of your prescription from home speeds the process.

Q. How do I say “my eye hurts” in Japanese?

“Me ga itai desu” means “my eye hurts.” For itching, use “Me ga kayui desu.” To ask for eye drops, “Megusuri o kudasai” works at any pharmacy. Pointing at the affected eye while showing the phrase on a translation app is also effective.

Q. Can I get glasses made quickly in Japan?

Yes. Major eyewear chains such as Zoff and JINS produce glasses in around 30–60 minutes for most standard prescriptions, with frame and lens together typically costing ¥5,000–¥20,000. Bring your prescription if you have it, or use the in-store eye check — usually free or low-cost.

Q. Is pollen allergy common in Japan?

Yes — very common, and often more severe than visitors expect. Cedar (sugi) pollen peaks from mid-February through April, with cypress (hinoki) pollen continuing into May. Symptoms include itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. Antihistamine eye drops, antihistamine tablets, and pollen-blocking goggle-style glasses are widely available at any drugstore.

Q. What should I do if I get something in my eye?

Do not rub the eye. Rinse gently with clean water or saline for 10–15 seconds, tilting your head so the affected eye is lower. If the object will not come out, if vision is affected, or if pain persists after rinsing, see an eye doctor — you may have a corneal abrasion or an embedded foreign body. For chemicals or any sharp object, treat as an emergency and call 119.

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