ancharee Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Anyone on TV had a check for glaucoma in a optician or hospital in Thailand ? did you receive any treatment or were any meds prescribed . Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preacher Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 An optician can not check for glaucoma, for that you have to go to an eye doctor. No problem getting checked by an eye doctor. Normally they will prescribe eye drops to keep your eye pressure low, periodically check your eye pressure and periodically have a vision field test done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
007 RED Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Approximately a year ago I noticed what I can only describe as little mosquitos flying in front of my eyes. Normal reaction was to swat them away, but they kept appearing. I soon realised that they were not mosquitos, but something inside the eye. I made an appointment to see an ophthalmic doc at Rama Hospital in BKK (Government Hospital). Appointment was made via the hospital app and I was seen within a week. The ophthalmic doc told me that the ‘little mosquitos’ were known as floaters that are small loose cells in the fluid inside the eye. She said that they were not a problem and normally the brain becomes accustoms to them and ignores them. No treatment was necessary. Great, but..... she then informed me that the pressure test (a small short puff of air directed at the eye) which they do as a standard test before you see the doc showed that the pressure of the fluid inside the eye was on the high side. She referred me to a colleague who was a specialist in glaucoma. He repeated the ‘puff’ test and gave both eyes an intensive microscope examination. He then gave me a number of other tests using some fairly sophisticated digital equipment. This doc confirmed that the fluid pressure was on the high side and if left untreated I was at considerable risk of developing glaucoma which will mean losing my sight. On a scale of 1 to 10, normal pressure should be 4-6. Mine was 8. All other factors concerning my sight are perfectly normal for my age. He prescribed eye drops (one drop in each eye in the evening). No pain or side effects when drops being administered. I have been back for follow up checks on a three monthly basis (examination and repeat of tests) and thankfully the fluid pressure has reduced to almost normal levels. My next appointment is now in six months. The doc says that I may have to take the eye drops for the rest of my life. Cost of consultation and tests about 1,300BHT. Cost of eye drops from local pharmacy (bottle lasts about a month) 820BHT. A small price to pay for my sight. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Not sure what doctor uses a scale of 1-10 for eye pressure? Quote Eye pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal eye pressure ranges from 12-22 mm Hg, and eye pressure of greater than 22 mm Hgis considered higher than normal Air test is not totally reliable and is not normally used in US anymore - but it is easy so can be useful - but if a high reading this should be followed by direct measurement using eye drops to numb the eye - often this more accurate test will be a lower reading. All my doctors have always followed a high air test reading with direct measurement and based treatment on that reading. And I have glaucoma so trying to keep reading lower than about 18. Yes treatment will be eye drops to maintain a lower eye pressure for most people (although understand some may need operation type procedures). This is, as said, a lifetime need. Testing of eye pressure/exams and visual field tests (to make sure not getting worse). Too many people make the mistake after time that drops are an unneeded expense and stop treatment - as said blindness is the likely long term result if treatment not continued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommysboy Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Yes I have had an eye check up for glaucoma. You might want to start at a local eye clinic, because they should be able to spot the signs. If they think there is a problem you may be referred to the local hospital, where more extensive tests will be undertaken. It's all quite painless. You may have a field of vision test, another pressure test, and these days perhaps some computer imaging of your optic nerve and retina thickness. It is wholly treatable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Where in Thailand are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAS21 Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 More than twenty years ago an eye specialist in the UK recommended that I use Xalatan (eye drops) as my eye pressure was a little high and my mother had Glaycoma. I have regular eye checks and 'field of vision' is okay ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 24 minutes ago, JAS21 said: More than twenty years ago an eye specialist in the UK recommended that I use Xalatan (eye drops) as my eye pressure was a little high and my mother had Glaycoma. I have regular eye checks and 'field of vision' is okay ... I am on Xalatan once a day and Cosopt 2 times. The big issue with Xalatan is that it must be refrigerated at all times here in Thailand so not a good choice if you do any traveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAS21 Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 7 minutes ago, lopburi3 said: I am on Xalatan once a day and Cosopt 2 times. The big issue with Xalatan is that it must be refrigerated at all times here in Thailand so not a good choice if you do any traveling. When we travel, we pack a few ice pads in an insulated container ... keep them in the freezing compartment at a hotel or buy ice. Yes something to think about when traveling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcharacters Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 On 5/31/2018 at 9:44 AM, 007 RED said: Approximately a year ago I noticed what I can only describe as little mosquitos flying in front of my eyes. Normal reaction was to swat them away, but they kept appearing. I soon realised that they were not mosquitos, but something inside the eye. I made an appointment to see an ophthalmic doc at Rama Hospital in BKK (Government Hospital). Appointment was made via the hospital app and I was seen within a week. The ophthalmic doc told me that the ‘little mosquitos’ were known as floaters that are small loose cells in the fluid inside the eye. She said that they were not a problem and normally the brain becomes accustoms to them and ignores them. No treatment was necessary. Great, but..... she then informed me that the pressure test (a small short puff of air directed at the eye) which they do as a standard test before you see the doc showed that the pressure of the fluid inside the eye was on the high side. She referred me to a colleague who was a specialist in glaucoma. He repeated the ‘puff’ test and gave both eyes an intensive microscope examination. He then gave me a number of other tests using some fairly sophisticated digital equipment. This doc confirmed that the fluid pressure was on the high side and if left untreated I was at considerable risk of developing glaucoma which will mean losing my sight. On a scale of 1 to 10, normal pressure should be 4-6. Mine was 8. All other factors concerning my sight are perfectly normal for my age. He prescribed eye drops (one drop in each eye in the evening). No pain or side effects when drops being administered. I have been back for follow up checks on a three monthly basis (examination and repeat of tests) and thankfully the fluid pressure has reduced to almost normal levels. My next appointment is now in six months. The doc says that I may have to take the eye drops for the rest of my life. Cost of consultation and tests about 1,300BHT. Cost of eye drops from local pharmacy (bottle lasts about a month) 820BHT. A small price to pay for my sight. Hope this helps. Do you recall the name of the eye drops? I take Travatan which was recommended since my previous prescription drops became ineffective at reducing the eye pressure. I think it's around 800 THB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancharee Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 On 5/31/2018 at 8:54 AM, Preacher said: An optician can not check for glaucoma, for that you have to go to an eye doctor. No problem getting checked by an eye doctor. Normally they will prescribe eye drops to keep your eye pressure low, periodically check your eye pressure and periodically have a vision field test done. When I lived in the UK 10 years ago I used to go to my local optician once a year for a glaucoma check, it was a small machine that emitted a small puff of air to register if there was a build up of pressure behind he eye, hence glaucoma check. anyway went to the hospital in Prasat excellent service all new and top of the range equipment, had detailed photos of the eyes taken, they show you the photos and explain everything to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 33 minutes ago, ancharee said: When I lived in the UK 10 years ago I used to go to my local optician once a year for a glaucoma check, it was a small machine that emitted a small puff of air to register if there was a build up of pressure behind he eye, hence glaucoma check. anyway went to the hospital in Prasat excellent service all new and top of the range equipment, had detailed photos of the eyes taken, they show you the photos and explain everything to you. Are you sure it was not an optometrist you visited? Opticians in most countries make and fit glasses but do not do any testing AFAIK. That air puff checks pressure inside the eye - it does not determine if you have glaucoma.or how serious it may be. And from my own experience it is not very accurate - there is a much better test for pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancharee Posted June 1, 2018 Author Share Posted June 1, 2018 4 hours ago, lopburi3 said: Are you sure it was not an optometrist you visited? Opticians in most countries make and fit glasses but do not do any testing AFAIK. That air puff checks pressure inside the eye - it does not determine if you have glaucoma.or how serious it may be. And from my own experience it is not very accurate - there is a much better test for pressure. It was a opticians shop, yes you are right its not very accurate compared to the equipment they have now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommysboy Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 6 hours ago, lopburi3 said: Are you sure it was not an optometrist you visited? Opticians in most countries make and fit glasses but do not do any testing AFAIK. That air puff checks pressure inside the eye - it does not determine if you have glaucoma.or how serious it may be. And from my own experience it is not very accurate - there is a much better test for pressure. The shops in UK tend to do both. An eye examination may include a visual check, a field of vision test and pressure test, and some shops also have the latest digital imaging machines. An eye clinic in Thailand may do much the same. You are right in a strict sense but perhaps info. is a bit dated now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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