Since 1939, Tokai Optical has been at the forefront of Japanese lens technology, constantly pushing boundaries for lighter, thinner, clearer lenses. When you care about both vision and eye health, Tokai stands out. Especially in Nepal, where optical options are growing fast. In this post, we’ll cover what makes Tokai lenses special, what you get in Nepal, why they protect your eyes, and whether they’re worth the cost.
What Is Tokai ?
Tokai is a Japanese manufacturer focused on technological advancement in ophthalmic lenses. Their mission is responding fast to the demand for lenses that are lighter, thinner, and clearer.
A big milestone: they produced the world’s first plastic lens with refractive index 1.76, which is currently among the thinnest organic lens materials available.
What Makes Tokai Lenses Different in Nepal ?
High Index Material Options
Tokai offers materials with refractive indices like 1.60, 1.67, 1.70, and 1.76. The 1.76 material is especially prized because it allows for thinner lens edges even in strong prescriptions.
Aspheric / Bi-Aspheric Designs
Mostly Tokai lenses which are available in Nepal are aspheric or even bi-aspheric surfaces. That means these Tokai Lenses have fewer distortions, better aesthetics (edges don’t bulge out as much), and improved clarity across the lens surface.
Coatings & Filters
Tokai has a wide range of coatings. Some of the known coatings (with verified descriptions) are:
| Coating / Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| LUTINA | Blocks UV rays and HEV light (High Energy Violet light, ~400–420 nm). Protects lutein in the retina, helps reduce risk of macular damage. |
| TOKAI BLUE COATING (TBC) | Reduces glare, screen flicker, eye fatigue. Helps with blue-light protection. |
| Ultra Shield Coating (USC) | Strong scratch resistance, tough surface, more durable. |
| No Reflection Coating (NRC) | Reduces reflections, helps clarity especially when light sources are behind you or above. |
| Photochromic Options | Tokai offers “Lutina Photo” lenses that combine the LUTINA protection with photochromic features (lenses that darken in UV light), with color options like Surf Blue, Grey, Brown. |
Types of Tokai Lenses Available in Nepal
- Single Vision lenses: TBC Blue Filter / Blue Light Protection lenses, Lutina PGC-PUV
- Progressive lenses: kinds like Sereno IS, Neuroscience progressive
- High Index lenses up to 1.76
- Aspheric / Bi-aspheric designs
- Photochromic lenses (grey, brown, Surf Blue)
- Polarized and tinted lenses too
Some Single Vision Lenses of Tokai are in stock in Nepal; others may need to be imported from Japan (takes about 14 days after ordering) depending on prescription and type.
How Tokai Lenses Protect Your Eyes
LUTINA Material
Tokai’s LUTINA blocks UV completely and cuts about 94% of HEV light in the 400-420 nm range. HEV (High Energy Violet) light is implicated in oxidative stress on photoreceptors, damage to lutein (a pigment in retina that helps protect against light damage), and possibly in age-related macular degeneration. This is unique material of TOKAI.
Blue Light / HEV Protection
Lenses with blue-cut or blue filter coatings help reduce glare, eye strain, especially from digital screens and LED lighting. Tokai designs those coatings carefully to reduce color distortion or yellowing issues. TBC Coating is most popular coating for Blue Light Protection.
Durability / Scratch & Reflection
Advanced coatings like Ultra Shield Coating (USC), Super Power Shield (SPS), and Coating like MSC others increase scratch resistance, protect from reflection (front and back), reduce smudging, making maintenance easier and preserving clarity over time. Tokai’s coatings are known to be strong.
Comfort in Vision
Aspheric / bi-aspheric surfaces reduce distortions towards periphery, reduce thickness and weight (especially in high prescriptions), and provide better aesthetics and comfort. Progressive lens designs are refined to reduce aberration, distortions.
Why Tokai is Trusted Ophthalmic Lenses
Japanese manufacturing has a global reputation for precision, consistency, quality control. Tokai maintains ISO certifications (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001) and has high technical standards.
Tokai produces a wide variety of coatings, high index materials, and they innovate (e.g. they were among the first to introduce 1.76 plastic lens, and LUTINA as a material) which indicates strong R&D.
Durability: thermal resistant coatings, scratch resistance, tough material etc., making lenses last longer, maintain clarity. These features matter in Nepal, where environmental factors like dust, UV exposure, temperature can degrade standard lenses.
Where to Buy Tokai Lenses in Nepal
Authorized distributor: Vision Point Distributors Pvt. Ltd.
Major optical outlets: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Dharan, Butwal, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi etc.
Note on online availability: Tokai lenses are usually not sold directly online in Nepal because proper frame fitting, precise measurements (box marking, frame shape, PD, etc.) are crucial. Best done through reputable opticians.
Price of TOKAI Lens in Nepal
Starting price for Tokai 1.60 index Aspheric lens with Blue Protection in Nepal is about Rs 7,050. Price increases with higher index, more coatings, progressive designs etc.
Compared to some cheaper international or local brands that offer lower index (e.g., 1.50) or basic spherical designs, Tokai is more expensive, but its extra cost brings benefits: thinner, lighter, more durable, better eye protection.
For lower strength prescriptions, the difference in cost may be smaller, and choosing 1.60 aspheric with good coating may give good balance of cost + performance.
Who Should Choose Tokai Lenses?
Tokai lenses are great for:
Office workers & gadget users: Those who spend long hours in front of screens; blue-light / HEV protection helps reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Drivers: Exposure to glare from headlights / road lights, UV; coatings + high index help.
Students: Comfort and protection for eyes, especially with digital screen use.
People with strong prescriptions / high myopia/hyperopia: High index 1.67-1.76 helps reduce lens thickness and weight.
Presbyopia / progressive lens users: Tokai progressive designs like Sereno IS and Neuroscience give smoother transitions, good near/intermediate/ distance vision.
Anyone concerned about long-term eye health: Especially those wanting protection from UV / HEV light, risk of macular degeneration etc.
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Why Trust Tokai for Long-Term Eye Health
- Their R&D & decades of experience (since 1939) show consistency in innovation.
- Global acceptance: sold in many countries, with regulatory certifications.
- The inclusion of advanced features like LUTINA, HEV filtering, scratch resistant coatings, high index thin materials all point towards protecting your vision not just now but as you age.
- Especially in Nepal, where UV exposure is quite high, dust, glare, and long screen-use (mobile phones, computers) are common — investing in healthier lenses can help reduce cumulative damage.
Tokai ophthalmic lenses represent a premium option in Nepal: combining advanced Japanese materials, high refractive index, excellent coatings (LUTINA, blue-light filters, scratch resistance etc.), and stylish lens designs. While they cost more than basic lenses, for many people (students, office workers, drivers, those with higher prescriptions) the extra investment pays off in comfort, protection, clarity, and long-term eye health. If you’re looking for eyeglass lenses that do more than simply correct vision — lenses that protect your eyes as you live your life — Tokai is absolutely worth considering.
