Recent (well, maybe pre-Covid) cataract surgery in Thailand ?

[BananaGuy]

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Yes, any foreigner with long stay visa can get one. Actually the pink card is easy, the difficulty is that you must first get a yellow tabian baan (housebook).  How difficult that is depends on the amputr and also on your living situation as the holder of the blue tabian ban must go with you to apply for it (no problem at all if living in a house owned by wife or gf, but can be quite difficult if renting and landlord uncooperative or lives out of town).

 

Once yo uare issued a yellow tabian baan, getting the pink card tales literally minutes.

That's interesting and good news - i don't know where i got the impression but i thought getting access to Thai government hospital was only for PRs. Sounds like i'd have no problem ... tiny house is built on my partner's land. It's a village and from my little experience of the ampur admin, they're a friendly crowd.

 

Other eye may need attention further down the track so public hospital may be a great option for that.

 

Thanks for the explanation.

[BananaGuy]

12 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Foreigners -- all, regardless of visa status --  have full access to any government hospital, but unlike Thais  have to pay full price (which is still usually about 1/4 that of a private hospital).

 

There are some drawbacks: lots of red tape, little or no English speaking except by the doctors (and even those, in upcountry hospitals, not always the doctors), long waits, lack of amenities etc. But medical quality is usually OK.

Sounds very similar to Oz private/public setup ... public is no-frills but they don't compromise on standard of care. I actually worked for a while back in the day at St Vincent's in Sydney ... public and private wings on the same ... behind the scenes, most resources doctors, nurses, equipment etc were shared. Private got you a room with a view was the biggest difference!

[HAPPYNUFF]

Dont know where you live in Oz, but    to give  some examples...my former,  old neighbour, a retired Insurance Company  Exec,  who laughed at Insurance as just a "scam",  needed eye surgery.   Waiting time at Royal Perth Hospital, or other large public hospital, over 12 months he was told.     His  eye surgeon suggested he     go to Mandurah, a town some  60 kms  south of Perth and have an eye examination there, at the public hospital.  Did so,  was  booked in for eye surgery there, within three weeks and behold,  his same surgeon did the op. who explained there is far less waiting time in regional hospitals.   As in  Thailand,  doctors in private practice have to  devote  a portion of their time/service in public hospitals.

Also my  brother, lived in small country town in  WA needed cataract surgery b oth eyes.   Doctor in his towns  small hospital, referred him to  Albany Public Hospital, on  the south coast, quite some distance away.. Op   undertaken 2 weeks later, one eye at a time.  The moral of the story seems to be, waiting time in large cities is extreme, not too bad in regional centres.  As your Doc. about this.

[ignis]

My surgery at present on hold due to COVID

Red Cross Hospital [so government prices] The surgery @ 10,00 baht per eye + Lens = estimate another 10 - 15,000 baht per eye..

[fredscats]

On 11/3/2021 at 11:38 AM, JohnB1945 said:

Got mine done in Chennai with plastic lenses in a private hospital when I lived in India about 3 years ago. Top guy, excellent private hospital, less than 50K baht for both eyes. Why so costly in Thailand?

Tell me.    Cannot get there at present ,or Id have been and returned

[HelenaM]

On 11/3/2021 at 4:00 PM, BananaGuy said:

Very helpful (and depressing) thanks for that.
 

I learn by the hour here … didn’t even realise there was a ‘multifocal’ option in the cataract world. 
 

Anyhow … this ‘real world’ info is invaluable. As I said in the OP, easy to get ‘teaser’ prices but nothing beats first-hand accounts. Thanks again.

I just came back from Rutnin and tried REALLY hard to get a price for the exam. I went anyway and was told for epi retinal surgery and removal of cataract - not very thick - in one eye the total with another pre test would be about 230000 baht. Crazy cost I think! The test cost was 5800 and as many hospitals do, they just show you the little hand calculator at the desk - no breakdown of prices. I SHOULD have demanded that at least! But I think they skin foreigners. I will keep looking.

[Sheryl]

20 minutes ago, HelenaM said:

I just came back from Rutnin and tried REALLY hard to get a price for the exam. I went anyway and was told for epi retinal surgery and removal of cataract - not very thick - in one eye the total with another pre test would be about 230000 baht. Crazy cost I think! The test cost was 5800 and as many hospitals do, they just show you the little hand calculator at the desk - no breakdown of prices. I SHOULD have demanded that at least! But I think they skin foreigners. I will keep looking.

Their cost for standard catarct is about 50K.  and this is less than most private hospitals in Bangkok. 

 

The additional cost would be from the epi retinal  surgery.  But even for that, seems high and I doubt the person who gave you this had any idea what they were doing or what the planned surgery actually was. They do not "skin foreigners", but they also are not well geared to foreigners and, as is usual in this culture, will make up answers when they don't know. 

 

Who there did you dfiscuss this with? I suggest you send them an actual email with full details of the surgery proposed (assuming you have already been seen by a doctor there and have been told what is recommended, as there is more than one possible surgical approach.)

[BananaGuy]

On 11/4/2021 at 12:16 PM, HAPPYNUFF said:

Dont know where you live in Oz, but    to give  some examples...my former,  old neighbour, a retired Insurance Company  Exec,  who laughed at Insurance as just a "scam",  needed eye surgery.   Waiting time at Royal Perth Hospital, or other large public hospital, over 12 months he was told.     His  eye surgeon suggested he     go to Mandurah, a town some  60 kms  south of Perth and have an eye examination there, at the public hospital.  Did so,  was  booked in for eye surgery there, within three weeks and behold,  his same surgeon did the op. who explained there is far less waiting time in regional hospitals.   As in  Thailand,  doctors in private practice have to  devote  a portion of their time/service in public hospitals.

Also my  brother, lived in small country town in  WA needed cataract surgery b oth eyes.   Doctor in his towns  small hospital, referred him to  Albany Public Hospital, on  the south coast, quite some distance away.. Op   undertaken 2 weeks later, one eye at a time.  The moral of the story seems to be, waiting time in large cities is extreme, not too bad in regional centres.  As your Doc. about this.

Thanks for that … I’m NSW South Coast near Nowra which is regional … for some reason Nowra is a breeding ground for doctors and specialists of all kinds also a couple of hospitals so probably as good as it gets. Semi-regional Wollongong is near too … more big hospitals there.
COVID has screwed up waiting lists all over and sadly probably more so in the regions where vaccination rates lag cities … while your friend’s strategy sounds very smart in normal times, I think the pandemic has flipped the situation a little.

Am still Googling and looking at YT videos toying with idea of operating on myself … doesn’t look that hard and hey I’ve got a year + to practice …

[lopburi3]

17 hours ago, HelenaM said:

The test cost was 5800 and as many hospitals do, they just show you the little hand calculator at the desk

All you have to do is ask for a detailed receipt.  They can and will provide.  It is all on the computer.  Just an extra step that most patients don't require.

[transam]

18 minutes ago, BananaGuy said:

Thanks for that … I’m NSW South Coast near Nowra which is regional … for some reason Nowra is a breeding ground for doctors and specialists of all kinds also a couple of hospitals so probably as good as it gets. Semi-regional Wollongong is near too … more big hospitals there.
COVID has screwed up waiting lists all over and sadly probably more so in the regions where vaccination rates lag cities … while your friend’s strategy sounds very smart in normal times, I think the pandemic has flipped the situation a little.

Am still Googling and looking at YT videos toying with idea of operating on myself … doesn’t look that hard and hey I’ve got a year + to practice …

Weeeell, when I had mine done in LOS by an army surgeon, the machine used to do the job of clearing the old stuff out etc had a voice telling him the progress and when to do this and that, it was a ladies voice in English with an American accentso I knew where the apparatus came from....????

[KhunBENQ]

On 11/2/2021 at 5:16 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Around 50k an eye for cataract only, some people go for Supersight etc so more expensive

A friend from Jomtien paid 150k(!) for supersight on ONE eye.

(cataract plus multiple laser, multifocal lens? no glasses needed)

The other one seems lost.

You can guess where this was performed? Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. So now you have an idea of the upper limit.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

A friend from Jomtien paid 150k(!) for supersight on ONE eye.

(cataract plus multiple laser, multifocal lens? no glasses needed)

The other one seems lost.

You can guess where this was performed? Bangkok Hospital Pattaya. So now you have an idea of the upper limit.

Multifocal lens will add substantially to cost wherever it is done

[BananaGuy]

On 11/6/2021 at 2:04 PM, transam said:

<snip> ladies voice in English with an American accent <snip>

… could have been Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan … even Thailand … with US as a long shot.

[BananaGuy]

On 11/6/2021 at 3:53 PM, Sheryl said:

Multifocal lens will add substantially to cost wherever it is done

Anyone got actual experience of multifocal lenses? I’ve got transitional specs that offer long distance from top of lens and closeup from bottom so a bit of head movement (soon automatic) is required.

 

How does it work with an internal lens?

 

(please note I also have a medical condition that makes it difficult for me to Google this stuff)

[transam]

10 minutes ago, BananaGuy said:

… could have been Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan … even Thailand … with US as a long shot.

Weeeeell, as the machine was American I just took a wild guess....????

[BananaGuy]

4 hours ago, transam said:

Weeeeell, as the machine was American I just took a wild guess....????

The ‘Made in America’ label on the machine could have been made in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan … even Thailand … with US as a long shot

[transam]

11 hours ago, BananaGuy said:

The ‘Made in America’ label on the machine could have been made in Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan … even Thailand … with US as a long shot

Your continuing point is......?    ????

[pattaya1234was]

Rutnin for me- Dr Roy.  80,000 for one eye and 115,00 for the other which had 'floaters'. Well woth using the experts.

[lopburi3]

34 minutes ago, pattaya1234was said:

Rutnin for me- Dr Roy.  80,000 for one eye and 115,00 for the other which had 'floaters'. Well woth using the experts.

That said there are a lot of experts as this is a very common operation.  One thing to be careful of is new equipment - make sure they have good experience using it as even the best can fail (as my sister found out in USA).  

[Longwood50]

On 11/3/2021 at 4:00 PM, BananaGuy said:

I learn by the hour here … didn’t even realise there was a ‘multifocal’ option in the cataract world. 

Yes there is a multi focal option.  However the vast majority of ophthalmologists do not recommend it.  It is a challenge to get the prescription correct and if the lens is not perfectly centered it creates a distortion.   A large percentage of people following multi focal are unhappy with the result and even those with successful surgery often find they still require glasses to make their vision sharp.  

Most recommend a good quality single vision lens and using reading glasses.   I am considering mono vision where one eye is monofocal for distance and one eye monofocal for reading. I did that with contact lenses and had no problem adjusting.  Your brain always will focus through whatever eye is giving it the clearest image.  Some people have problems with monovision but I adapted to it very quickly.  You can test for yourself by having contacts put in each eye one for distance and one for reading and see how you adjust to it. 

[Longwood50]

I am considering cataract surgery.  My cataracts are small but the one in the right eye is dead center in the pupil.  I have noticeable astigmatism.  So between the cataracts and the astigmatism +1.75 in both eyes, I get blinded at night from oncoming headlights. 

Has anyone done cataract surgery and done limbal relaxing incisions  to correct their astigmatism and if so were you happy with that. I know the other option is to get a toric lens but I understand that if those are not placed absolutely perfect or if they shift after surgery that the outcome can be not so great. 

[ignis]

Something never thought about multi focal option

 

for  many years [over 50] had multifocal glasses, about 4 years ago had new glasses recommended by eye Dr - Bifocal, hate them. still find them very hard to use.... eg: my Monitor is 32" my desk is large so sit 1 meter away, all blurred without, but same with Bifocals on, reading part I am sat to far away = blurred, top part blurred as sat to close !!  = same with TV  and sat 3 meters away

 

Please what will happened with Cataracts removal ? 

if 1 x lense is there any option ?

ask for mid range vision ? + glasses for long and another pair for short ? as said never thought about it and eye Dr never said anything  on type of lenses

[Old Croc]

My double lens replacement at Bangkok Phuket Hospital a couple of years ago cost 130k baht.

[lopburi3]

3 minutes ago, ignis said:

Something never thought about multi focal option

 

for  many years [over 50] had multifocal glasses, about 4 years ago had new glasses recommended by eye Dr - Bifocal, hate them. still find them very hard to use.... eg: my Monitor is 32" my desk is large so sit 1 meter away, all blurred without, but same with Bifocals on, reading part I am sat to far away = blurred, top part blurred as sat to close !!  = same with TV  and sat 3 meters away

 

Please what will happened with Cataracts removal ? 

if 1 x lense is there any option ?

ask for mid range vision ? + glasses for long and another pair for short ? as said never thought about it and eye Dr never said anything  on type of lenses

Not sure of question but if monitor 32" expect you will be able to view without glasses if have normal long distance lens - I use about 125% using 23" monitor but find dark mode much better (which wish I found sooner as after operation everything is much too bright).  Although I did use various reading glasses shortly after operation and have if need to read fine print - but mostly for printed materials rather than computer.   

[Sheryl]

10 minutes ago, ignis said:

Something never thought about multi focal option

 

for  many years [over 50] had multifocal glasses, about 4 years ago had new glasses recommended by eye Dr - Bifocal, hate them. still find them very hard to use.... eg: my Monitor is 32" my desk is large so sit 1 meter away, all blurred without, but same with Bifocals on, reading part I am sat to far away = blurred, top part blurred as sat to close !!  = same with TV  and sat 3 meters away

 

Please what will happened with Cataracts removal ? 

if 1 x lense is there any option ?

ask for mid range vision ? + glasses for long and another pair for short ? as said never thought about it and eye Dr never said anything  on type of lenses

What usuaaly  happens is you will  have excellent vision except for reaďing/very close objects and for that  need reading glasses  -- not bifocals just the regular cheap reading glaases you can get at any market or store.

 

Bit should discuss with opthalmologist the specifics of your case

[AverageBloke]

I'm in Australia but I asked my girlfriend to get a quote for me from a doctor in Mahasarakham and I was quoted 25000 baht per eye. In the meantime I got a referral for an appointment with a local ophthalmologist here in N.S.W and they have scheduled me for a procedure within 3 months for free and then 3 months later for the second eye. 

[BananaGuy]

20 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

<snip> 
should discuss with opthalmologist the specifics of your case

That’s probably the best advice when it comes down to lens selection etc. but thanks to all who have contributed experiences and particularly details of prices … that local knowledge is invaluable.

 

I’m inclined to avoid the extra risk of multifocal cataract lenses after reading some of those comments … I have no problem continuing to use multifocal glasses after any op.

 

I find it actually a benefit using specs dealing with some people … take them off and it’s nice the other person gets fuzzier …

 

Still curious how the multifocal implanted lens works though … when focus shifts say from a near to a far object, is the eyeball swivelling around like a chameleon or does all the adjustment occur inside the eye/brain?

[jojothai]

On 11/3/2021 at 11:17 AM, drtreelove said:

To confirm cost info on Rutnin,
I had both eyes done in Rutnin a year ago. It was on Insurance so I was not searching for cheapest option.

Used Rutnin because they are well recommended and have excellent specialists speaking english.
I also used them for an eye problem with surgery several years earlier.
Cost paid 95,000 to 100,000 per eye for cataract surgery including covid test and post operation eyecare solutions.
There are the additional presurgery consultation and cost of checks. 
I also had a problem on the retina for one eye that was additional.
Because of the retinal problem i used Dr Roy.
He was excellent, cataract surgery done well and eyesight fine,
Much more important the difficult retinal surgery was also a success.

 

On 11/3/2021 at 11:17 AM, drtreelove said:

 

I really like Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok and Dr Jutarat there, but the quote was much more. 

Rutnin:

The estimated cost of the cataract surgery only as follows:

 

1)            Monofocal lens is approximately THB 80,000-90,000* per eye

2)            Toric lens (for astigmatism) is approximately THB 110,000-120,000* per eye

3)            Multifocal lens is approximately THB 120,000 – 130,000* per eye

 

The estimated cost of a preoperative examination is THB3,000-5,000*.

The cost of RT-PCR for COVID-19 is THB3,000*.

 

[BananaGuy]

10 minutes ago, AverageBloke said:

I'm in Australia but I asked my girlfriend to get a quote for me from a doctor in Mahasarakham and I was quoted 25000 baht per eye. In the meantime I got a referral for an appointment with a local ophthalmologist here in N.S.W and they have scheduled me for a procedure within 3 months for free and then 3 months later for the second eye. 

Wow 3 months is remarkable, I’m in NSW too, between Nowra and Woolongong and lots of hospitals and told to expect 1 year+ wait.

 

Can I ask where in NSW you are? I may move.

[AverageBloke]

Just now, BananaGuy said:

Wow 3 months is remarkable, I’m in NSW too, between Nowra and Woolongong and lots of hospitals and told to expect 1 year+ wait.

 

Can I ask where in NSW you are? I may move.

Yes, I'm in Northern N.S.W near Ballina. I was very surprised because I  was expecting a wait of at least 12 months. They said the cataracts had developed  quickly and hence the 3 months time frame.... Good luck down in Nowra its a nice place to live....I lived there for 10 years.