Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (commonly known as Tilganga Eye Hospital) is Nepal’s premier eye care institute, offering world-class treatment, research, and training. As the implementing body of the Nepal Eye Program, Tilganga has been a model of excellence in ophthalmology since its inception in 1992 and the opening of its facility in 1994.
Recognized as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Ophthalmology, Tilganga is committed to making affordable, high-quality eye care accessible to patients across Nepal and internationally.
Table of Contents
Tilganga Location
Tilganga is located in Gaushala, Kathmandu, near Bagmati Bridge, between the Airport Gate and Gaushala Chowk, and just a short distance from the famous Pashupatinath Temple.
Services and Specialties
Tilganga provides a comprehensive range of eye care services, from general check-ups to advanced subspecialty treatments:
- General Eye Services – routine eye exams, prescriptions, and basic treatments
- Cataract and IOL Clinic – SICS and Phaco surgery with high-quality intraocular lenses
- Cornea Clinic – corneal disease management, including corneal transplants
- Retina Clinic – treatment for retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy
- Glaucoma Clinic – diagnosis and surgical care for glaucoma
- Uvea Clinic – management of uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases
- Oculoplastic & Ocular Oncology Clinic – eyelid, orbit, and eye tumor surgeries
- Refractive Surgery Unit – LASIK, PRK, and SMILE Pro
- Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic – optic nerve and neurological vision disorders
- Optometry Clinic – refraction, low vision services, contact lens fitting
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic – squint, amblyopia, and pediatric cataracts
- Vision Therapy Unit – treatment for binocular vision disorders
- Emergency Eye Service: 24/7
How to book an Appointment in Tilganga ?
Patients can book appointments through multiple channels:
Phone: (+977) 1 5970048
Email: appointment@tilganga.org
International Patients: intl.patients@tilganga.org
Refractive Surgery (LASIK/SMILE Pro): +977-1-4484574 or rsuappointment@tilganga.org
Premium Clinic (Fast-Track Service)
The Premium Clinic provides fast-track services including refraction, consultation, IOP and BP measurements, minor procedures, and same-day subspecialty consultations if needed. The Extended Service, available in the afternoon, is ideal for patients who prefer shorter waiting times, while mornings are usually very busy with over 1,000 patients daily.
The Premium Clinic offers faster, personalized care with no need to queue. Services include:
- Refraction, consultation, IOP & BP measurement, and minor procedures in one location
- Same-day subspecialty consultations if required
- Assisted service for special investigations
- Appointments can be booked via phone (+977) 1 5970048 or email premiumclinic@tilganga.org
Treatment Cost – OPD Fee at Tilganga
Tilganga is committed to making eye care accessible and affordable. Typical costs include:
General OPD: Rs. 200–300, Extended Consultation: Rs. 500, Premium Service Package: Rs. 1000
Starting Price of Cataract Surgery: SICS from Rs. 9,000; Phaco from Rs. 14,000 (It goes higher with procedure, IOL Selection, Anesthesia if needed GA etc.) So Please Confirm with Hospital.
Refractive Surgery: varies by procedure from 80,000 +
The hospital also provides free cataract surgeries for underprivileged patients through outreach programs.
Community Programs and Outreach
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology is committed to making eye care accessible across Nepal, especially in remote and underserved regions. To achieve this, the institute operates more than 17 Community Eye Centers and 3 Community Eye Hospitals, providing screening, treatment, and preventive services closer to patients’ homes.
Community Eye Centers include:
-
District Community Eye Centre, Dhading
-
District Community Eye Centre, Ramechhap
-
District Community Eye Centre, Solu
-
District Community Eye Centre, Nuwakot
-
District Community Eye Centre, Sindhuli
-
District Community Eye Centre, Rasuwa
-
District Community Eye Centre, Okhaldhunga
-
District Community Eye Centre, Rolpa
-
District Community Eye Centre, Mustang
-
Dolakha Lions Eye Centre
-
Swoyambhu Community Eye Centre
-
District Community Eye Centre, Manang
-
Jiri Community Eye Centre
-
Community Eye Centre Charikot
-
Tilganga Community Eye Centre, Melamchi
-
Tilganga Community Eye Centre, Palung
-
Community Eye Centre, Manahari
Community Eye Hospitals include:
-
Hetauda Community Eye Hospital
-
Bhaktapur Community Eye Hospital
-
Nijgadh Community Eye Hospital
Through these centers, Tilganga conducts eye screenings, cataract surgeries, vision correction programs, and preventive care, making world-class eye care accessible to rural and marginalized communities.
Academic and Training Programs
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology is not only a world-class eye hospital but also a center of excellence for education and training in Nepal. The institute offers a wide range of short-term and long-term programs for ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other eye care professionals, including:
- SICS (Small Incision Cataract Surgery) Training – hands-on surgical training for cataract management.
- Phacoemulsification (Phaco) Training – advanced cataract surgery techniques.
- Fellowship Programs – specialized training in ophthalmic subspecialties such as cornea, retina, glaucoma, oculoplasty, and pediatric ophthalmology.
- MD Residency Program – a comprehensive 3-year postgraduate residency in ophthalmology.
- Bachelor of Optometry & Vision Science – undergraduate academic program for future optometrists.
- Additional Training & Academic Programs – numerous workshops, short courses, and continuing professional development programs to strengthen eye care capacity in Nepal and internationally.
Through these programs, Tilganga contributes significantly to building skilled eye care professionals and promoting high standards of ophthalmic education in Nepal and beyond.
Doctors and specialists available at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology boasts a team of highly qualified ophthalmologists and subspecialists across all major eye care departments. Key doctors include:
Cornea Clinic
Dr. Reeta Gurung, MD – CEO / Head of Cornea Clinic
Dr. Leena Bajracharya, MD – Associate Professor
Dr. Rachana Singh Rana, MD – Assistant Professor
Dr. Bandana Khanal, MD – Cornea Specialist & Refractive Surgeon
Dr. Sagar Ruit, MD – Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Cataract And IOL Clinic
Prof. Dr. Sanduk Ruit – Executive Director
Dr. Shyam Vyas, MD – Cataract Surgeon
Glaucoma Clinic
Dr. Indira Paudyal, MD – Head of Glaucoma Clinic
Dr. Pratibha Lama Joshi, MD – Glaucoma Specialist
Dr. Kalpana Singh, MD – Glaucoma Specialist
Dr. Bibek Bista, MD – Glaucoma Specialist
Oculoplastic & Ocular Oncology Unit
Prof. Dr. Rohit Saiju – Head of Oculoplastic, Lacrimal & Ocular Oncology Unit
Dr. Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit, MD – Ocular Oncologist & Oculoplastic Surgeon
Dr. Malita Amatya, MD – Oculoplastic Surgeon
Dr. Hom Bahadur Gurung – Oculoplastic Surgeon
Dr. Dikshya Bista – Oculoplastic Surgeon
Dr. Sushant Adiga – Oculoplastic Surgeon
Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic
Dr. Srijana Adhikari, MD – Head of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
Dr. Rojita Parajuli, MD – Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Dr. Ang J Lama, MD – Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Dr. Namrata Gupta, MD – Pediatric Ophthalmologist
Vitreo-Retina Clinic
Prof. Dr. Govinda Paudyal, MD – Vitreo-Retina Surgeon
Dr. Raba Thapa, MD, PhD – Associate Professor
Dr. Eli Pradhan, MD, MRCS Ed(Ophthal) – Consultant, Medical Retina
Dr. Sanjita Sharma, MD – Vitreo-Retina Specialist
Dr. Sushma Duwal, MD – Vitreo-Retina Specialist
Dr. Deepti Pradhan – Vitreo-Retina Surgeon
Dr. Elena Gurung – Vitreo-Retina Surgeon
Uvea Clinic
Dr. Anu Manandhar, MD – Uveitis Specialist & Head of Department
Dr. Smita Shrestha, MD – Uveitis Specialist
Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic
Dr. Keepa Vaidya, MD – Consultant Ophthalmologist / Neuro-Ophthalmologist & Head of Department
Dr. Kripa Joshi – Consultant Ophthalmologist, Neuro
This highly skilled team ensures that patients receive world-class care across all ophthalmic subspecialties, from routine eye care to complex surgeries.
Does Tilganga manufacture its own intraocular lenses (IOLs)?
Yes. Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology houses the Fred Hollows Intraocular Lens Laboratory within its premises, one of the best IOL manufacturing facilities in the region. The laboratory produces a wide range of high-quality lenses, ensuring affordable access to cataract surgery for patients across Nepal.
Some of the lenses and products manufactured include:
- PMMA Rigid IOL
- Foldable IOL
- EDOF IOL (Extended Depth of Focus)
- Toric IOL
- CTR Rings
- AC IOL (Anterior Chamber IOL)
This in-house manufacturing allows Tilganga to maintain high standards of quality, reduce costs, and make life-changing eye surgeries accessible to underserved populations.
Eye Bank and Cornea Transplant Service
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology is home to the Nepal Eye Bank, the first and leading eye bank in Nepal. The institute provides eye banking services, including the collection, preservation, and distribution of donated corneas.
Tilganga also offers corneal transplant surgeries for patients with corneal blindness, restoring vision and improving quality of life. With state-of-the-art facilities and experienced cornea surgeons, Tilganga is a center of excellence for corneal care in Nepal.
WHO Collaborating Centre
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) as its Collaborating Centre for Ophthalmology in Nepal. TIO is the first Nepalese health agency to receive this honor and was chosen for its excellence in academia, research, treatment, and training. This designation allows TIO to support WHO programs and collaborate internationally in advancing eye care.
How busy is Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology?
Tilganga is often very busy, with over a thousand patients visiting daily for various eye treatments. Early mornings, around 8:00 AM, tend to be the busiest time, so it is recommended to visit around 10:00–10:30 AM for a smoother experience.
For patients seeking a quieter time with shorter queues, the afternoon Extended Service is ideal. Additionally, the Premium Clinic offers fast-track services to avoid long waiting times altogether.
