Anyone here treated for wet macular degeneration in LOS?

[thaipara]

Especially somewhere in Pattaya. I am just wondering if the injection treatments are available (and affordable),

 

Thanks

[Sheryl]

They are available, but very expensive as the drugs are imported name brands.

 

You need a retinal specialist and preferrably one who has trained or worked in a western country as AMD is more common in Caucasions than it is in Thais.

 

I would suggest you go to Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok and see this US-trained doctor

https://www.rutnin.com/en/doctor/detail.36.1_Search by name_15_0.html#thumb

 

(you can see his CV here  https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Roy-Chumdermpadetsuk but it will cost less at Rutnin than at Bumrungrad)

 

If you are set on being treated in Pattaya then this doctor, but she has no overseas experience and care at this hospital will cost more than at Rutnin, probably by more than enough to offset the travel costs

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=77&depid=10

 

 

 

 

[thaipara]

Thanks for the valuable info. It's interesting that Thais suffer less from the disease than Caucasians. I have reason to visit Bangkok and will check on both possibilities, but am prejudiced in favor the US-trained doctor.

[Kinnock]

I've been impressed with Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok (as suggested by Sheryl), but be prepared for long wait times on the day of the visit.  I think they keep costs down by lining up lots of patients and then keeping them waiting for their turn.

 

Not a big deal, as lots of seating, and just take a book, water and a phone charger.  And you'll need someone to drive you home after the treatment.

 

I've also heard that the skill of the person doing the injection is a critical factor.

[simple1]

I have had the injections in Australia, to resolve my issue required three injections in each eye over a period of time, then follow up reviews every six months. With the first injection I had a severe allergic reaction to the antiseptic, so changed the chemical for further injections and was fine. Hopefully you can have a test to see how the eye reacts before the procedure as the allergic reaction I experienced lasted for hours and was extremely unpleasent.

[steve187]

10 years ago i had a detached retina, I went to Bangkok hospital Rayong, who wanted to do the op at BH pattaya 4 days later cost 160,000thb, on advice from my son  we went to rama government hospital Bangkok where a doctor was expecting me this was evening time on a Tuesday, i was seen by this doctor - https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/Somsiri-Sukavatcharin, she suggested surgery but as it could not be done at Rama, she wanted to do it at EENT hospital ( https://eent.co.th/) Bangkok the following day, I went ahead with the op, throughout my treatment at EENT the service was excellent, both by the nursing staff and Dr Somsiri,  hospital bill for the best room included 80,000thb. 

at the same time as my op there was i believe a French national being treated for macular-degeneration next door to me.

I would always look at EENT hospital for any eye treatment i require, 

good luck with your treatment

[thaipara]

Thanks all, you've given me much to think on. Needing a driver for return is a bit scary since I was always able to drive myself after eye injections back home.

 

[Sheryl]

There is a  nice place (and affordable) to stay right opposite Rutnin Hospital, Asok residence3 Sukhumvit. Rather than have a driver, suggest you just spend a night. 

 

https://www.agoda.com/asoke-residence-sukhumvit-by-uhg/hotel/bangkok-th.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1891451&numberOfBedrooms=&familyMode=false&adults=2&children=0&rooms=1&maxRooms=0&checkIn=2022-07-11&isCalendarCallout=false&childAges=&numberOfGuest=0&missingChildAges=false&travellerType=-1&showReviewSubmissionEntry=false&currencyCode=THB&isFreeOccSearch=false&tag=4a6bfe61-3563-d899-9bf9-2be24ab103b6&isCityHaveAsq=true&los=5&searchrequestid=d5c69973-b0d7-4773-9f6b-0dcf36ff7855

 

I suspect issue with driving would be on the first visit due to meds to dilate the pupil so that the doctor can confirm the diagnosis and check for any other retinal issues- even though you have been diagnosed elsewhere you cannot expect a doctor to proceed to inject without an initial exam himself. After that, follow up injections likely no need.

 

Though you might still like to stay 1 night just to break up the trip. . There is parking  at the Asoke Residence.

[thaipara]

10 hours ago, Sheryl said:

There is a  nice place (and affordable) to stay right opposite Rutnin Hospital, Asok residence3 Sukhumvit.

What a splendid suggestion! (Agoda says 21 people booked already today! I wonder what they will say tomorrow?)

 

You are quite correct about the initial exam being the no-no for driving afterwards. My eyes ache already from the thought of dilated exposure to the tropical sun. 

 

Thanks ever so!

[Doctor Tom]

On 2/25/2022 at 11:04 PM, thaipara said:

What a splendid suggestion! (Agoda says 21 people booked already today! I wonder what they will say tomorrow?)

 

You are quite correct about the initial exam being the no-no for driving afterwards. My eyes ache already from the thought of dilated exposure to the tropical sun. 

 

Thanks ever so!

I have had two assessments requiring eye dilation.  I had no problem driving myself home afterwards.