Your Prescription Is Valid Abroad: How to Get Glasses While Travelling

Your eyeglass prescription numbers are internationally standardised. Here is how to use them anywhere in the world, and where the real pitfalls lie.

Getting glasses abroad: what actually changes and what does not

Eyeglass prescriptions use diopters, a measurement unit based on the metric system that is consistent across borders. An optician in Bangkok, Berlin, or Buenos Aires reads the same sphere, cylinder, and axis values as the optician who wrote your prescription.

This guide covers the key steps for getting glasses made overseas: what documents you need, how to read an unfamiliar optician's quality, where costs differ dramatically, and the one thing most travellers forget to bring.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Eye prescriptions are medical documents, consult a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist before making any changes to your eyewear. Information about costs, regulations, and optician practices may change over time.

The single most important thing to bring: your written prescription

Opticians abroad can remeasure your eyes, but having a written prescription saves time, money, and the risk of an inaccurate in-store refraction. In Vietnam, opticians in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang can cut and fit single-vision lenses within two to six hours when you arrive with a prescription in hand. Without one, they run their own refraction first.^[1]

Your prescription should list: sphere (SPH), cylinder (CYL), axis, and for reading or progressive lenses, an addition (ADD) value. Pupillary distance (PD) is also needed and sometimes listed separately. Store a photo of the prescription in your phone and keep a paper copy in your bag. If you use Nomedic to manage your health records, you can attach your optical prescription to your prescription record so it is always accessible wherever you travel.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission's updated Eyeglass Rule (finalised July 2024) requires that eye doctors provide a copy of your prescription immediately after any refractive exam, at no extra charge, whether you ask for it or not. If you had your last eye exam in the US and were not given your prescription, you are entitled to request it.^[2]

Where costs differ and by how much

The cost of prescription glasses varies widely depending on where you are. In Vietnam, basic single-vision glasses at local shops typically cost between $15 and $50 (~€14–€46), while branded chains charge $30–$120 (~€28–€110). Progressive lenses cost more but remain significantly below prices in many higher-income countries.^[3]

In the Netherlands, a complete pair of glasses with coatings typically costs €100–€250 (~$118–$295) at an in-store optician, which is broadly in line with northern European pricing. That price range comes down if you use an online retailer after getting your prescription in person.^[4]

In Thailand, progressive lenses from established opticians in Bangkok start around $70 (~€65) for a basic pair and reach $100–$200 (~€92–€184) for premium high-index materials. A comparable pair at many private opticians in high-income countries can cost $350 or more. The savings on complex prescriptions can be substantial.^[5]

Lens complexity is the biggest driver of cost in every market. Simple single-vision lenses are cheap almost everywhere. Progressive, high-index, and photochromic lenses add significant cost even at opticians with low labour overheads.

Turnaround time: what to plan for

Single-vision lenses are fast. Opticians in Vietnam's main cities often complete them within two to six hours for a simple prescription. Bangkok opticians typically quote same-day to next-day for standard lenses. Progressive and high-index lenses require one to three days at most in-country opticians, occasionally longer if lenses are ordered from a central lab.^[3]

Build your glasses appointment into the first two days of your trip, not the last. If a lens needs to be remade or adjusted, you need buffer time. Collecting glasses on your departure morning is a high-risk plan.

For progressive lenses specifically, ask the optician whether they grind lenses on-site or send them to an off-site lab. Off-site labs typically need 48 to 72 hours. Factor that into your itinerary before you pay a deposit.

Four traps that catch travellers out

The measurement gap. Pupillary distance (PD) is not always included on a written prescription. Without it, an optician cannot position your lenses correctly, particularly for progressives. If your prescription does not list PD for each eye separately, ask your optician to add it before you travel or have it measured at a local optician for a small fee.

The prescription age trap. A prescription that is more than one to two years old may no longer reflect your current vision. If yours is approaching that threshold, getting a fresh refraction abroad before ordering is often the right call, especially in Vietnam and Thailand where consultations cost $20–$80 (~€18–€74).

The autorefractor shortcut. Budget opticians in tourist areas sometimes use only an automated machine (autorefractor) rather than a full subjective refraction using a phoropter and trial lenses. The autorefractor gives an approximation, not a final prescription. Ask specifically whether the optician performs a subjective refraction, particularly if your prescription is complex or includes significant astigmatism.

The insurance gap. Standard travel insurance policies do not cover routine optical care. Glasses are only reimbursable if they were lost or damaged due to an insured event such as a robbery or accident. Check your policy wording before assuming coverage. If you are buying glasses opportunistically because they are cheaper abroad, budget for it as an out-of-pocket cost.

How to assess an unfamiliar optician

You cannot rely on professional registration checks when visiting an optician abroad as a traveller. Use practical signals instead.

Lens brands on display. Established international lens manufacturers such as Hoya and Essilor distribute to reputable optical chains globally. Seeing their branded stock is a reasonable proxy for a supplier relationship with quality-controlled products.

They ask for your full prescription and PD. A serious optician will ask for your pupillary distance measurement before quoting. One that offers to make glasses without asking for PD is skipping a critical step.

They do a trial frame fit. For progressive lenses, a good optician fits a trial frame and marks your pupil height before cutting. If they skip this step for progressives, the optical centre placement may be wrong.

Expat and long-stay communities. For cities like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi, English-language expat forums and Facebook groups contain detailed, recent reviews from people with complex prescriptions. These are more reliable than generic tourism sites.

Optical quality standards: CE, ISO, and what to look for

Eyeglass lenses are regulated as medical devices in several jurisdictions, including the United States (under FDA oversight) and the European Union (under the EU Medical Devices Regulation). In the EU, lenses must meet optical accuracy standards including EN ISO 8980 for prescription lenses. When buying in countries without equivalent regulatory frameworks, the lens brand and optician reputation become your main quality indicators.^[6]

In practice, opticians in major cities in Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia supply lenses from the same international manufacturers that supply European and Australian optical chains. The lens origin matters more than the country you are in. Asking which lens manufacturer an optician uses is a legitimate question.

A practical checklist before you go

Obtain your written prescription, including PD for each eye. Do this before you leave, not once you are already abroad.

Check the prescription date. If it is more than 18 months old, budget for a fresh eye exam at your destination before ordering.

Store a digital copy. Upload your prescription to Nomedic or save a clear photo to your cloud storage. A prescription lost with your bag means starting from scratch abroad.

Book your glasses appointment early. Go to the optician within the first 48 hours of arriving, not the day before you leave.

Bring your current glasses. An experienced optician can read your existing lenses to cross-check the prescription you provide. This acts as a verification step for complex prescriptions.

Check your travel insurance policy. Routine optical care is almost always excluded. Plan for glasses as an out-of-pocket cost unless your policy specifically states otherwise.

What about getting your eyes tested abroad for the first time?

Getting a fresh eye test abroad is straightforward in cities with established optical sectors. In Vietnam, a consultation with an ophthalmologist at a private clinic costs 500,000–2,000,000 VND (~$20–$80 / ~€18–€74). High street opticians generally sit at the lower end of that range.^[3]

Ask whether the optician uses a phoropter and performs a subjective refraction, not just an autorefractor reading. A subjective refraction, where you confirm what looks clear, produces a more accurate prescription. This matters most for complex prescriptions with significant astigmatism or a large ADD value.

Always ask for a printed copy of your final prescription after any eye test abroad, in the same way you would at home. You will want the values on record for your return journey and your next pair of glasses.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my current prescription to get glasses made in another country?

Yes. Eyeglass prescriptions use diopters, a metric unit of measurement that is consistent internationally. An optician in Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, or Germany reads the same sphere, cylinder, and axis values as the optician who wrote your prescription. Bring a written copy including your pupillary distance (PD) measurement to avoid delays.

Do I need a doctor's letter to bring my glasses prescription abroad through customs?

No. An eyeglass prescription is not a controlled document and does not require a letter or permit to cross any border. The prescription is simply the written measurements your optician uses to make your lenses. It is not a medication or restricted item. A copy in your phone is sufficient.

What happens if I lose my glasses prescription while travelling?

An experienced optician can use a lensometer to read your current glasses and derive approximate values, but this is not a substitute for a written prescription. Your safest option is to store a digital copy before you travel: photograph your prescription and upload it to a cloud-accessible health record or note. Getting a fresh eye exam at a private optician abroad is usually fast and inexpensive in cities across Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.

How much do prescription glasses cost in Vietnam compared to Europe?

In Vietnam, basic single-vision glasses at city opticians typically cost $15–$50 (~€14–€46), while a standard complete pair at a Dutch in-store optician runs €100–€250 (~$118–$295). Progressive lenses cost more in both markets, but the gap narrows as lens complexity increases.

How long does it take to get glasses made in Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City?

Most Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City opticians can complete single-vision glasses same-day or next-day. Progressive and high-index lenses typically take one to three days when lenses are cut on-site. If lenses are sent to an off-site lab, allow up to 72 hours. Plan to visit the optician within the first two days of your trip.

Will my travel insurance cover the cost of new glasses abroad?

Standard travel insurance policies exclude routine optical care. Replacement glasses are only covered when they are lost or damaged as the direct result of an insured event, such as theft or an accident. Check your policy wording explicitly. Budget for glasses as an out-of-pocket expense unless your policy states otherwise.

Sources

Topics

ArticleYour Health Records Are a Travel Document: The Checklist Most Travellers Miss