How to Buy Contact Lenses in China (Foreigners Guide 2025)

Quick answer: You can buy contact lenses in China without a prescription at optical shops and online stores. Finding your exact brand may be tricky, but common types are available.

Here's everything you need to know.

Do You Need a Prescription?

Technically yes, practically no.

China requires prescriptions for contact lenses in theory, but:

• Most optical shops don't check
• You just tell them your power (度数)
• Online stores don't require prescription proof

What you need to know:

• Your sphere (SPH) power: -2.50, -3.00, etc.
• Your cylinder (CYL) if you have astigmatism
• Your base curve (BC) if you're particular

Where to Buy Contact Lenses

1. Optical Shops (眼镜店)

Best for: Same-day purchase, trying different brands

Chains to look for:

• 宝岛眼镜 (Baodao Optical)
• 博士眼镜 (Doctor Glasses)
• JINS
• 卫康眼镜 (Weikang)

How to find: Search "眼镜店" in Amap/Baidu Maps

What to expect:

• Staff can do basic eye test if needed
• Show your current lens box/prescription
• They'll match power or find close equivalent
• Same-day walk out with lenses

Cost: Similar to online, sometimes more

2. JD.com (京东)

Best for: Widest selection, fast delivery

Pros:

• Massive selection
• International brands available
• 1-2 day delivery in most cities
• Easy comparison shopping

How to order:

1. Download JD app
2. Search brand name in English or Chinese
3. Select your power (度数)
4. Checkout with hotel address

Delivery: Can deliver to hotel. Notify front desk to accept package.

3. Taobao/Tmall (淘宝/天猫)

Best for: Cheapest prices, Chinese brands

Pros:

• Cheapest option
• Huge variety
• Chinese brand specialty

Cons:

• Navigation harder for foreigners
• More Chinese language required
• 2-5 day delivery

Tip: Use Alipay mini-program for easier browsing

4. Pharmacies (药店)

Limited selection:

• Some large pharmacies carry basic dailies
• Not reliable for specific brands
• 屈臣氏 (Watsons) has some contact lens supplies

5. Hospital Eye Departments

For complex prescriptions:

• If you have severe astigmatism
• Need multifocal lenses
• Want professional fitting

How: Go to 眼科 (eye department) at major hospital

Popular Brands Available in China

International Brands

Brand	Chinese Name	Availability
Acuvue	安视优	Widely available
CooperVision	库博	Common
Bausch + Lomb	博士伦	Very common
Alcon	爱尔康	Common

Chinese/Asian Brands

Brand	Type	Notes
海昌 (Hydron)	Korean/Chinese	Popular, affordable
海俪恩 (Helen)	Chinese	Budget option
卫康 (Weikang)	Chinese	Mid-range
可瞳 (Kontorn)	Chinese	Trendy designs

Color/Cosmetic Lenses

China has a huge market for color contacts (美瞳):

• Many Korean brands available
• Fashion-focused options
• Be careful about quality—stick to known brands

How to Communicate Your Prescription

Key Terms

English	Chinese	Notes
Contact lens	隐形眼镜	yǐn xíng yǎn jìng
Power/Degree	度数	dù shù
Nearsighted	近视	jìn shì
Daily	日抛	rì pāo
Biweekly	双周抛	shuāng zhōu pāo
Monthly	月抛	yuè pāo
Yearly	年抛	nián pāo
Astigmatism	散光	sǎn guāng
Base curve	基弧	jī hú

Telling Them Your Power

Chinese uses "度" (degrees/power) multiplied by 100:

Your Prescription	Chinese
-1.00	100度 (yī bǎi dù)
-2.50	250度
-3.75	375度
-5.00	500度
-6.50	650度

Example: "I need -3.50" = "我需要350度的" (wǒ xūyào sān bǎi wǔ shí dù de)

If You Have Astigmatism

Astigmatism lenses (散光镜片) are:

• Less commonly stocked
• May need to order
• More expensive

Tell them:

• SPH (球镜): Your sphere power
• CYL (柱镜): Your cylinder power
• Axis (轴位): Your axis degree

Step-by-Step: Buying at an Optical Shop

1. Find a shop - Search 眼镜店 in maps

2. Show them what you need:

   • Your current lens box (best option)
   • Photo of your prescription
   • Just your power number

3. Say what you want:

   • "我要买隐形眼镜" (wǒ yào mǎi yǐn xíng yǎn jìng) - I want to buy contacts
   • "日抛/月抛" - dailies/monthlies
   • "[XXX]度" - power

4. They'll show options

5. Check power carefully before leaving

6. Pay and go

Step-by-Step: Ordering on JD.com

1. Download JD app (京东)

2. Search your brand:

   • Type brand name in English: "Acuvue Oasys"
   • Or Chinese: "安视优"

3. Filter by:

   • 度数 (power): Select your needed power
   • 片数 (quantity): 30 pack, 90 pack, etc.
   • 周期 (replacement schedule): Daily, monthly, etc.

4. Add to cart

5. Checkout:

   • Add hotel address
   • Select payment (Alipay/WeChat Pay)

6. Track delivery in app

Cost Comparison

Type	China Price	US Price
Daily (30pk)	¥120-250 ($17-35)	$30-50
Monthly (6pk)	¥150-300 ($20-42)	$40-80
Astigmatism daily (30pk)	¥200-350 ($28-50)	$50-80

Generally 30-50% cheaper than US prices.

Solution and Care Products

Contact Lens Solution

Available everywhere:

• 隐形眼镜护理液 (hù lǐ yè) - contact lens solution
• 7-Eleven, FamilyMart
• Any pharmacy
• Optical shops

Brands:

• 博士伦 (Bausch + Lomb)
• 爱尔康 (Alcon)
• Various Chinese brands (cheaper)

Cost: ¥30-80 per bottle

Eye Drops

润眼液 (rùn yǎn yè) - lubricating drops

Available at:

• Pharmacies
• Convenience stores

Emergency Situations

Ran Out Completely

1. Go to nearest optical shop (眼镜店)
2. Tell them your power
3. Get single-day lenses while waiting for proper order

Lost Your Prescription

1. Have eye exam at optical shop (¥30-50)
2. Results in 10-15 minutes
3. Use for purchasing

Allergic Reaction/Issues

1. Stop wearing lenses
2. Go to hospital eye department (眼科)
3. Bring your lens box to show doctor

Tips for Long-Term Travelers

1. Stock up before coming - Your exact brand may not exist in China
2. Order early online - Don't wait until you're on last pair
3. Save your power on phone - Photo of prescription
4. Carry spare glasses - For backup

Quick Answers

Can I buy contacts without prescription?

Practically yes. Shops and apps don't verify prescriptions.

Will my exact brand be available?

Major brands yes. Specialty or niche brands maybe not.

Is quality the same?

International brands manufactured to same standards. For Chinese brands, stick to known names.

Can I get same-day contacts?

Yes, if optical shop has your power in stock.

Are color contacts safe?

Buy from reputable sources. Many fashion lenses have lower quality standards.

Summary

Method	Speed	Selection	Best For
Optical shop	Same day	Moderate	Emergency, convenience
JD.com	1-2 days	Excellent	Regular purchase
Taobao	2-5 days	Huge	Budget shoppers
Pharmacy	Same day	Very limited	Emergencies

Bottom line: Don't stress about running out of contacts in China. Optical shops can help immediately, and online options are excellent. Bring your power information and you'll be fine.

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The China Survival Kit includes health and pharmacy guides for handling medical needs while traveling.