Getting Glasses in Japan

Getting glasses in Japan was quite easy for me because I went to an English-speaking eye clinic, so I didn’t need to worry about miscommunication. Plus, I had my husband help me out to pick my glasses. However, my journey in accepting that my vision isn’t 20/20 was challenging.

Without further ado, here is the story of how I got my glasses!

Start of Blurry Eyesight

I first noticed that my vision was not as clear as it used to be when my husband and I went to Jeju Island in South Korea 2 years ago.

The beautiful Udo Island in Jeju, South Korea

I remember walking around the airport and I couldn’t see the signs very well. I started to get quite scared because having a perfect vision has always been my pride. I know it’s ridiculous, but it’s just one of those things that I know I’m best at. I’m a pretty average person, so having a quality that I’m perfect at boosts my confidence a little bit. LOL.

Moreover, having 20/20 eyesight means that my eyes are healthy.

As my vision worsened, I pondered when did it start? I then realized that it happened gradually when I quit my job. I was mostly at home, studying. Our apartment had bad lighting and it didn’t help that it was under renovation. Because of that we mostly closed our windows for privacy and kept using fluorescent lights.

During that period, I often had headaches and my eyes got tired and sore. I thought it was only fatigue, but it was the start of my blurry eyesight.

Finding an Eye Clinic

It wasn’t until last year that I finally accepted that I needed glasses.

The headaches were getting worse. There were times that it hurt a lot that I just slept the whole day to ignore the pain and rest my eyes. In addition, my eyes got sensitive to light, which made it very difficult for me to watch TV and read subtitles.

At first, I said it’ll pass, but it didn’t. So, I googled eye clinics around Tokyo and Saitama where I used to reside. I wanted an English-speaking doctor, so I would be able to freely express my symptoms, and like I said a while ago to avoid miscommunication.

Then within minutes, I found MUSASHI EYE CLINIC.

My Experience with MUSASHI EYE CLINIC

Before making an appointment, I checked the reviews of this clinic on Google. So far, it has gotten positive feedback and it made me confident to call them for my check-up.

Here is the summary of what happened:

• I got an appointment by phone. It was quite easy since the receptionist speaks English.

NOTE: I highly recommend MAKING AN APPOINTMENT, because they are usually fully booked. Hence, there’s a high chance you won’t get a slot if you just walk in.

• When I went there for my check-up, I gave my JAPANESE HEALTH INSURANCE and filled out some forms.

NOTE: Most of the staff could speak English. If they spoke to you in Japanese, it’s very basic and easily understood. If they noticed you are struggling, they will speak in English and use gestures.

• After I did my eye check, I was asked to wait in the lobby.

• After a few minutes, I got to talk to the doctor. She was very kind and spoke fluent English. She explained that my eyes are very dry and my pupils are having a hard time dilating. However, she didn’t see any nerve damage and suggested that I wear glasses.

• The doctor prescribed some drops that will help my eyes to relax and gave another appointment for my glasses.

• When I used my drops, it did help my eyes to relax.

• I did an eye check-up again and the doctor gave me an eyeglasses prescription that I needed to show to the shop where I was going to buy my glasses.

NOTE: This prescription is ONLY VALID for 1 month only. Moreover, the doctor also told me that even though I give the shop the eyeglasses prescription, it doesn’t mean that the glasses that they’ll give are correct. So, I need to go back to her with my glasses to check if they are correct or not.

However, I was moving to Fukuoka already, so she advised me to get my glasses in Fukuoka because getting them might take two weeks.

All in all, my experience with MUSASHI EYE CLINIC was pleasant. I wasn’t overcharged, it was on time, the staff were helpful, and the doctor was very competent and kind.

MUSASHI EYE CLINIC

Website

 https://www.musashi-eye-clinic.com/e-top (English)

 https://www.musashi-eye-clinic.com/ (Japanese)

Address

158-0093 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kaminoge, 1 Chome−14−1 ステーションヒルズII 102

Access

Its closest station is KAMINOGE STATION and from there it only takes less than one minute on foot. It’s next to Tanabe Pharmacy (田辺薬局).

Japanese Insurance

OK!

Buying My First Glasses in Japan

Once my husband and I got settled into our new home in Fukuoka, we went to JINS, a Japanese eyeglasses brand that has numerous stores in Japan and overseas.

I chose JINS because it’s in almost every mall or shopping district that I’ve been to in Japan and it has an English website that is easy to navigate. In addition, their glasses have cute designs.

Here is the summary of how I got my glasses:

• We went to the closest JINS in our home town and tried out some glasses.

NOTE: This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I was a bit hesitant to put on the glasses on my face. However, there were several bottles of disinfectant in the shop and I saw the staff clean the glasses.

• After I decided which design I wanted, we just talked to one of the staff, pointed out the glasses I wanted and showed my prescription.

NOTE: If you want BLUE LIGHT GLASSES with filter coating, you can have them for FREE.

• The staff asked me to download their app to make the process easier.

NOTE: I vaguely remember what was the feature of the app. I did remember it was all in Japanese (no English) and filling out the details in it, which was a bit annoying. But the staff did help us out.

• Once we finally sorted the app, I was told that I could pick up my glasses after 2 weeks.

• When we finally got my glasses, I tried them out and let my eyes adjust to them. After a couple of days of wearing them, I did’t have any problems at all.

Wearing Glasses During the PANDEMIC

I don’t mind wearing glasses anymore, but it’s just too much work when you wear a face mask! Whenever I go out, I need to use anti-fog cleaning sheets for my glasses, or else I won’t see anything! This makes my prep time even longer now.

Me preparing to go out

Conclusion

After wearing glasses for 6 months now, I no longer have severe headaches. I also don’t have problems watching TV or reading signs. I can see clearly with them, but from time to time, I don’t wear them in order to let my eyes rest.

How about you guys? Any tips for using glasses and how do I stop it from sliding down my nose???

LOL.

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