Eye surgery possibilities and advice please.

[dallen52]

My partner has what is described as Ptergia or scars on the eyeballs. Both eyes, and quite uncomfortable for her.

Common Asian condition I am informed.

She has beautiful eyes, but is concious of the look.

 

I tried several western type medicines and drops. 

No avail.

Eyebright etc.

 

Many Thai swear by Dcontact tablets because some tv star says they are great.

I don't think so.

Just very expensive and contain nothing more than herbs and anti oxidants. And about 2000 baht per month ongoing. 

 

We went to Sattahip hospital having good feedback, plus affordable.

Three visits later.

Finished up with lubricating eye drops.

Not quite the outcome expected.

 

Laser eye surgery is promoted as a longer term solution.

17,000 baht per eye in Pattaya.

 

Really appreciate anyone who has been through this offering some feedback as to best ways to treating. 

 

I just realised this is under the wrong topic. Sorry. 

Edited October 31, 2017 by dallen52
I placed this in the wrong topic. Can it be removed assigned.

[Sheryl]

Moving this to health forum.

 

Lubricant drops may help if there is any irritation associated with the ptergyium but will not remove it or make it smaller.

 

Surgery is indicated only if it becomes large enough to interfere with vision, or is causing significant discomfort, though some people do opt to have surgery for purely cosmetic reasons.

 

Laser surgery is not usual for this, rather simple excision followed by placing a membrane over where it was, outpatient procedure. 

Laser surgery has only just been tried and I would be wary in terms of how much experience the doctor is likely to have had with that approach.

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/ask-ophthalmologist-q/pterygium-removal

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28489723

 

If it were me I would go for conventional surgery, not laser. That is still a simple outpatient procedure.

 

17,000 baht is  quite reasonable for this, private hospitals in Bkk run 25 - 40K, higher at the "top" international ones.  Main thing pushing up the cost (for non laser) is the cost of the membrane they place, typically it comes from an amniotic sac.

 

 

[Sheryl]

P.S. If she is Thai, she can =get this doen for free but have to go through the hospital where she is registered.

[dallen52]

On 02/11/2017 at 12:15 AM, Sheryl said:

P.S. If she is Thai, she can =get this doen for free but have to go through the hospital where she is registered.

Yes, well.

We were sent to Sattahip by a friend who quoted the track record as excellent with this affliction/condition.

 

Did the registration process and honestly cannot say anything wrong with this beautiful hospital and the whole administration process. 

Get there early.

Initial assessments happen before 11am.

Patients are taken into the basic eye checking room 10 at a time.

Basic tests and eye chart.

Back to the crowded wait area.

Then its a chain of actions going into several rooms to see an ophthalmic specialist. Or two. 

The final outcome left my partner deflated, and obviously myself wondering <deleted>.?

The longest time was pharmacy. 

Almost 90 minutes for a script for artificial tears to be filled. 

 

Pattaya eye gouger and laser 17,000 per eye. *(certificate on the wall. NO MD or B.s.)

Sattahip. 

20 baht registration card.

300 baht cons and script.

Just for information. 

It does display signs saying foreigner patients will be charged 200 baht for a consultation. (Great to see.)

 

Just not the outcome we were expecting. 

Its possibly NOT the worst case I've seen, but she has limited vision in the right eye at distance.

 

 

 

[JSixpack]

4 hours ago, dallen52 said:

Yes, well.

We were sent to Sattahip by a friend who quoted the track record as excellent with this affliction/condition.

 

Did the registration process and honestly cannot say anything wrong with this beautiful hospital and the whole administration process. 

Get there early.

Initial assessments happen before 11am.

Patients are taken into the basic eye checking room 10 at a time.

Basic tests and eye chart.

Back to the crowded wait area.

Then its a chain of actions going into several rooms to see an ophthalmic specialist. Or two. 

The final outcome left my partner deflated, and obviously myself wondering <deleted>.?

The longest time was pharmacy. 

Almost 90 minutes for a script for artificial tears to be filled. 

 

Pattaya eye gouger and laser 17,000 per eye. *(certificate on the wall. NO MD or B.s.)

Sattahip. 

20 baht registration card.

300 baht cons and script.

Just for information. 

It does display signs saying foreigner patients will be charged 200 baht for a consultation. (Great to see.)

 

Just not the outcome we were expecting. 

Its possibly NOT the worst case I've seen, but she has limited vision in the right eye at distance.

 

 

 

4

 

Thai friend of mine had this problem, had standard surgery at BPH, cost B15,000 about 7 years ago. First night of recovery was quite uncomfortable. But the op was quite successful, no complications or futher issues. Young female surgeon did the work--must not be that complicated. 

 

[Sheryl]

Is it sure that the limited distance vision is due to the pterygium? As that would not usually be the case.

 

Conservative management with lubricant drops is usual first line approach for pterygiums that are not affecting vision or causing intolerable discomfort. Government hospitals tend to go by the book; if she keeps returning and complaining would likely eventually slot her for surgery.

 

"Pattaya eye gouger and laser 17,000 per eye. *(certificate on the wall. NO MD or B.s.) "

I don't follow this - are you saying that someone not a physician proposed to do laser surgery on her eye? (Run, don't walk).

 

There is a government eye hospital in Bangkok which might be worth consulting or, if you want to go private, Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok is the best.  The government hospital, which is a branch of the larger Metta Pracharak eye hospital in Nakhion Pathom, is located convenient to the Ekamai bus station. Might be a quasi-private branch, not sure on that, but prices reported to be reasonable. It is I think in the Mediplex building adjacent to Ekamai BTS. Tel is 02-712-2066

 

Rutnin would likely cost more but is an excellent place and might be good to consult there, they do a very thorough eye exam  http://www.rutnin.com/en/about/

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dallen52]

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Is it sure that the limited distance vision is due to the pterygium? As that would not usually be the case.

 

Conservative management with lubricant drops is usual first line approach for pterygiums that are not affecting vision or causing intolerable discomfort. Government hospitals tend to go by the book; if she keeps returning and complaining would likely eventually slot her for surgery.

 

"Pattaya eye gouger and laser 17,000 per eye. *(certificate on the wall. NO MD or B.s.) "

I don't follow this - are you saying that someone not a physician proposed to do laser surgery on her eye? (Run, don't walk).

 

There is a government eye hospital in Bangkok which might be worth consulting or, if you want to go private, Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok is the best.  The government hospital, which is a branch of the larger Metta Pracharak eye hospital in Nakhion Pathom, is located convenient to the Ekamai bus station. Might be a quasi-private branch, not sure on that, but prices reported to be reasonable. It is I think in the Mediplex building adjacent to Ekamai BTS. Tel is 02-712-2066

 

Rutnin would likely cost more but is an excellent place and might be good to consult there, they do a very thorough eye exam  http://www.rutnin.com/en/about/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes ..exactly.

One of the Pattaya klang optical outlets. (Not named) gave me a card for her husband with post nominals and the title doctor.

Plus a certification in Laser.

 

I saw the same chap last year with a suspected retinal detachment. 

I thought he was physically trying to get my eyball out to see behind.

I laughed afterwards. But?

I could not get out fast enough. 

 

We do know of elderly patients who have had correction done at Sattahip and quite well (Thai and private for around 4000 per eye).

Maybe we keep plugging away. 

Or do a bottom payment like they do to get up the waiting queue in the mornings. lol.

 

Sheryl you are a veritable wealth of quality knowledge.