Low Cost Cataract Surgery

[Mike Lister]

1 minute ago, Greenside said:

The Out Patient department at Sriphat is brilliant.  I had cataracts in both eyes done there and recommend it without hesitation.  I believe the specialist's name is Mor Preeyanuch - she does the consultations and surgery.  The OPD is on Suthep Road adjoining the multistory car park which has a McDonalds facing the street.

Assistant Professor Preyanuch is very good plus her English is excellent.

[inlandchris]

On 5/5/2024 at 1:58 AM, BigBruv said:

 

Thanks for the post and good luck.

I would like lens replacement (same as cataract procedure as far as I can tell) so this information is valuable.

I just need to summon up the courage.

 

PS. I think the by exercise, they mean very rigourous stuff - this UK co. recommend no exercise for 1 week so worth clarifying and maintaining your muscle tissue https://www.opticalexpress.co.uk/magazine/article/when-can-i-start-exercising-after-cataract-surgery

I have completed my cataract surgery, 40,800 per eye and I got the best care and great doctor!

PRINC HOSPITAL LAMPHUN โรงพยาบาลพริ้นซ์ ลำพูน

My experience with cataract surgery in this hospital was wonderful. All the staff were friendly and very helpful. The doctor who preformed the operation is the best. My first experience for my left eye was impressive. The hospital has a lot of cataract patients and the staff performed well to manage all these people. I figure my doctor performs about 60 operations per week. The reason is the government pays the hospital for cataract surgery for Thai citizens over 60 years old. The Thai citizens pay nothing or almost zero. If the Thai citizen is under 60 years old, the citizen pays under 17,000 baht. I think the hospital is providing a wonderful service for the Thai citizens despite the inflation in the medical services in Thailand.

I found this hospital by searching because the big 3 hospitals in Chiang mai are way over priced and greedy. Princ hospital is Not and they perform quality surgery as the big hospitals for less.

My case: first surgery was with the left eye, 20-30 minutes, operation went smoothly. Second eye was operated on 3 weeks later and went even better. Each time, you spend overnight in the hospital to make sure there is no complications. The hospital room is like a hotel room. The doctor likes to wait between surgeries to make sure everything is good. I like this because they really care about your condition. They say no water in the eye for the first month and no exercise for 3 months: everybody is different but those are the guidelines. They send you home with a bunch of pills, cotton swabs (large), eye drops and teaching lessons how to use the all for the same price. The price as of June, 2024 is 40,800 per eye while the big 3 hospitals in Chiang mai are between 80,000-130,000 per eye.

In the USA, they don’t care: operation both eyes at the same time, give you an hour and send you home and recover in 2 weeks for about $6,000-$9,000 per eye, more if they use a laser.

 

[CMBob]

52 minutes ago, inlandchris said:

 

In the USA, they don’t care: operation both eyes at the same time, give you an hour and send you home and recover in 2 weeks for about $6,000-$9,000 per eye, more if they use a laser.

A comment obviously based on zero experience in the USA.  I and several friends have had cataract operations in the US and I and they thought the care was exceptional.  Almost no eye surgeon in the US will do both eyes at once (typically 3 weeks apart) and typically one is home about 3-4 hours after each operation. Given the quality surgical techniques used these days (at least in the US), there is no reason to stay overnight in a hospital. And never heard of the "no water" comment you made.

As concerns cost, those on Medicare (65 and older.....the average age for those having cataract operations) don't pay much.  About 5 years ago, I (on Medicare) paid just shy of $900.00 for both operations including eye surgeon appointments before and after the operations. I don't know what the cost is for those without Medicare or Medicaid or for those who have private insurance.

It's great you're happy with the service and cost you experienced at Prince Hospital.  That's cool; however, your comments about how it happens in the US are both unnecessary to your story and inaccurate. 

 

Edited June 8 by CMBob

[thaibeachlovers]

On 1/3/2023 at 12:35 AM, riclag said:

Dont screw around when it comes to your eyes.Also there are different procedures according to your requirements 

Agree. If an eye operation is botched ( it happens ) it could mean blindness.

 

IMO the most important thing is not getting both done at same time.

 

Cataract operations are basically a standard procedure, only the surgeon's skill varies.

Best get a surgeon that has done a lot in a reputable hospital and try to speak with a prior patient.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, inlandchris said:

Each time, you spend overnight in the hospital to make sure there is no complications.

Sounds like a money maker. There is zero need to stay in  hospital after if the op was done under local ( very rare not to be ). The UK stopped overnight stays for cataracts about 2006, though that may be a year before or after. They even closed the cataract ward in the hospital I worked in- day stay only. Patient arrives, gets eye drops to dilate the pupil, puts a gown and hair cover on, goes into theatre, local anasthetic drops, about half an hour later plus or minus goes back to wait for the surgeon to check, then goes home. In rare cases the patient may need sedation if they can't stay still.

[thaibeachlovers]

30 minutes ago, CMBob said:

And never heard of the "no water" comment you made.

That would be showering.

[transam]

On 1/2/2023 at 6:04 PM, orang37 said:

I think that is a suspiciously lowball price.

 

For any procedure with a possible long-term impact on my health, I would want to know:

 

1) what equipment/supplies, do they have

 

2) who is doing the surgery, where were they trained/certified, and how many times have they performed this procedure i the past, and recently.

 

3) how old the hospital is and what its history is.

 

4) I'd want to research possible online feedback or reviews of patients

Think they will tell you to bugger off back to your farangland and get it done......😂

[transam]

1 hour ago, inlandchris said:

I have completed my cataract surgery, 40,800 per eye and I got the best care and great doctor!

PRINC HOSPITAL LAMPHUN โรงพยาบาลพริ้นซ์ ลำพูน

My experience with cataract surgery in this hospital was wonderful. All the staff were friendly and very helpful. The doctor who preformed the operation is the best. My first experience for my left eye was impressive. The hospital has a lot of cataract patients and the staff performed well to manage all these people. I figure my doctor performs about 60 operations per week. The reason is the government pays the hospital for cataract surgery for Thai citizens over 60 years old. The Thai citizens pay nothing or almost zero. If the Thai citizen is under 60 years old, the citizen pays under 17,000 baht. I think the hospital is providing a wonderful service for the Thai citizens despite the inflation in the medical services in Thailand.

I found this hospital by searching because the big 3 hospitals in Chiang mai are way over priced and greedy. Princ hospital is Not and they perform quality surgery as the big hospitals for less.

My case: first surgery was with the left eye, 20-30 minutes, operation went smoothly. Second eye was operated on 3 weeks later and went even better. Each time, you spend overnight in the hospital to make sure there is no complications. The hospital room is like a hotel room. The doctor likes to wait between surgeries to make sure everything is good. I like this because they really care about your condition. They say no water in the eye for the first month and no exercise for 3 months: everybody is different but those are the guidelines. They send you home with a bunch of pills, cotton swabs (large), eye drops and teaching lessons how to use the all for the same price. The price as of June, 2024 is 40,800 per eye while the big 3 hospitals in Chiang mai are between 80,000-130,000 per eye.

In the USA, they don’t care: operation both eyes at the same time, give you an hour and send you home and recover in 2 weeks for about $6,000-$9,000 per eye, more if they use a laser.

 

I paid about 18,000bht per eye in a gov hozzy.......🤗

I paid about 66,000bht for a 4 day stay detached retina repair by a Professor in a gov hozzy...🤗

[Inlandchris1]

19 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That would be showering.

Correct, no water in the eye so they say not to wash your face/hair for one month. So, I bought a skin diver's mask and problem solved.

[Inlandchris1]

19 hours ago, transam said:

I paid about 18,000bht per eye in a gov hozzy.......🤗

I paid about 66,000bht for a 4 day stay detached retina repair by a Professor in a gov hozzy...🤗

Price doesn’t determine the quality of care, reviews and references do.

[connda]

On 1/3/2023 at 2:17 PM, Maybole said:

Two years ago I had one eye done in Sanpatong hospital for 23000 baht. This included 2 nights stay in hospital (unnecessary in my view) and a followup examination one month later. This compares with "approx 100000baht" in Suan Dok and 120000 in St. Peter's

You probably mean Sripat instead of Suan Dok.  Suan Dok is the government hospital, Sripat the "private" side that uses the same doctors and facilities, just at an inflated price.  Although a bit dated I was quoted 30K per eye for simple monofocal lens at Suan Dok government hospital Chiang Mai.  May be a slight bit more currently.

[connda]

On 2/23/2023 at 11:13 AM, PGThompson1 said:

Princ Hospital in Lamphun, less than 30 minute drive from Chiang Mai city.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for eye care as I live about 30 minutes from Muang Lamphun but from the south in Lamphun province.  If they are doing cataract surgery on a government contract then they probably perform more surgeries than the average private hospital cataract surgeon. 

[connda]

On 2/20/2024 at 1:48 AM, inlandchris said:

U.S. prices for cataract surgery (simple lens) is under $2,000 without insurance. Bangkok hospital Chiang mai wants 100,000 baht per eye. I think its over priced and over the top. 200,000 baht /(35 baht/dollar) = $5,714 USD

Shoulder surgery (arthroscopic) in Chiang mai Ram hospital is running at 330,000 baht. Admitted with plan A Medicare in the USA is free. otherwise, $7,000-9,000 USD.

These hospital prices are the result of Medical tourist. Some of these doctors are way better than the US doctors and the hospital care is way better than the US hospitals.

If you are over 70 y/o, too costly to get medical insurance in Chiang mai. All my medical surgeries (Orthopedics) were done at 2 hospitals in Chiang mai but recommend Chiang mai Ram hospital. Although I like this hospital, their prices have been continually going up like there is no tomorrow. Drug prices there is also high and going higher every year.

Well, I am looking for cataract surgery in Chiang mai that I can afford. I just found out my Medicare plan A will not pay for cataract surgery in the USA.

I agree.  Cataract surgery here in Thailand is actually more expensive than in the America.  So much for "medical tourism" as you gain nothing other than emptying your pocketbook if coming here for cataract surgery. 

[connda]

On 5/5/2024 at 2:31 AM, Mike Lister said:

Take a look at Sriphat, Chiang Mai, the university hospital. Cataract surgery there starts at 35k per eye.

 

14 minutes ago, connda said:

You probably mean Sripat instead of Suan Dok.  Suan Dok is the government hospital, Sripat the "private" side that uses the same doctors and facilities, just at an inflated price.  Although a bit dated I was quoted 30K per eye for simple monofocal lens at Suan Dok government hospital Chiang Mai.  May be a slight bit more currently.

There ya go.  Suan Dok eye department is doing them for 5K more than when I check a few years back.  Like Prince in Lamphun, they probably do a lot of cataract surguries, but it is a teaching hospital as well.  But for complicated case you have the advantage of doctoral professors who can work on you as well.

[connda]

20 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sounds like a money maker. There is zero need to stay in  hospital after if the op was done under local ( very rare not to be ).

Almost all hospitals in Thailand will keep you overnight as it's pretty much Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) here.  Why don't they in the US?  Cost and insurance companies not wanting to pay so it becomes "out-patient" at the urging of insurance companies.  So it doesn't reflect a lack of care - quite the opposite.  The US practices reflect a lack of preventative care that is SOP in Thailand because of insurance companies lose money.  So - talk about which country has the greediest systems?

I had an inguinal hernia operation at Suan Dok (Maharaj Hospital) and was kept overnight. And they kept me the night before as well.  It's inexpensive and it's a good way to address complications should they occur.  Considering post-surgery I hurt like hell I was happy to stay an enjoy a morphine buzz post-op and that night.  Slept great. Fyi - inguinal hernia surgery is outpatient in the US.

  "They're just trying to milk you for money!!! Grrrr!"

At the exchange rate at the time, the operation and the stay cost me 18000 THB or $600 USD.  I'm quite happy to hang out overnight in a private room at those prices.

Edited June 9 by connda

[connda]

20 hours ago, transam said:

I paid about 18,000bht per eye in a gov hozzy.......🤗

I paid about 66,000bht for a 4 day stay detached retina repair by a Professor in a gov hozzy...🤗

Was that the same eye after you got the surgery.  It does happen.  If your very myopic it's recommended to get laser photocoaguation (tacks your retina to your eyeball) prior to getting cataract surgery. 

[thaibeachlovers]

Just now, connda said:

Almost all hospitals in Thailand will keep you overnight as it's pretty much Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) here.  Why don't they in the US?  Cost and insurance companies not wanting to pay so it becomes "out-patient" at the urging of insurance companies.  So it doesn't reflect a lack of care - quite the opposite.  The US practices reflect a lack preventative care that is SOP in Thailand because of insurance company greed.

I had an inguinal hernia operation at Suan Dok (Maharaj Hospital) and was kept overnight. And they kept me the night before as well.  It's inexpensive and it's a good way to address complications should they occur.  Considering post-surgery I hurt like hell I was happy to stay an enjoy a morphine buzz post-op and that night.  Slept great. 

  "They're just trying to milk you for money!!! Grrrr!"

At the exchange rate at the time, the operation and the stay cost me 18000 THB or $600 USD.  I'm quite happy to hang out overnight in a private room at those prices.

I was talking about the UK not the US. There is zero need to stay in hospital following a cataract operation. It doesn't involve a lot of pain, so zero need for morphine. I even had ops with a General Anaeasthetic and went home the same day.

[connda]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I was talking about the UK not the US. There is zero need to stay in hospital following a cataract operation. It doesn't involve a lot of pain, so zero need for morphine. I even had ops with a General Anaeasthetic and went home the same day.

We can agree to disagree on this one.  I'd rather hang out at the hospital for a night "just in case."  And I'll still assert, even in the UK NHS (if you can get an operation before your body falls apart) the push for outpatient procedures is about money-saving measure for the NHS and not about patient care.  In the US the insurance companies drive hospital's SOP.

[transam]

2 hours ago, Inlandchris1 said:

Price doesn’t determine the quality of care, reviews and references do.

Oh, my last eye op was 5 years back, it was a retina op, was done in a gov hozzy by a professor in the field, recommended by a professor in a big name BKK hozzy...😱

 

My info IS review and reference info.....You want folk to pay more because you think paying more will be better, up to you........🤗

[transam]

1 hour ago, connda said:

Was that the same eye after you got the surgery.  It does happen.  If your very myopic it's recommended to get laser photocoaguation (tacks your retina to your eyeball) prior to getting cataract surgery. 

I had a retina detach done in London, 2002, my first cataract was done in the other eye in LOS, about 5 years back, followed by the other eye a month later, this was the eye I had eye fluid leaking behind the retina. 

Retina detachment is a risk after cataract surgery, though just for the unlucky few... 🥴

But, all is still OK here, fingers crossed....😋

[connda]

3 hours ago, transam said:

I had a retina detach done in London, 2002, my first cataract was done in the other eye in LOS, about 5 years back, followed by the other eye a month later, this was the eye I had eye fluid leaking behind the retina. 

Retina detachment is a risk after cataract surgery, though just for the unlucky few... 🥴

But, all is still OK here, fingers crossed....😋

The risk tends to be higher for highly myopic eyes.  I fit that category with one eye at -11 diopters so had my retinas "tacked" with laser surgery.  The results is a retina that is attached with about 2.5 to 3 times the strength as a normal retina.  Still putting off cataract surgery though.  Eventually I'll have to have it.

[transam]

Just now, connda said:

The risk tends to be higher for highly myopic eyes.  I fit that category with one eye at -11 diopters so had my retinas "tacked" with laser surgery.  The results is a retina that is attached with about 2.5 to 3 times the strength as a normal retina.  Still putting off cataract surgery though.  Eventually I'll have to have it.

I still have a plastic clip around the back of the eye I had done in 2002, though I don't know it is there.....

The resent repair he used laser and N2O.....😋

[inlandchris]

On 6/8/2024 at 1:01 PM, CMBob said:

A comment obviously based on zero experience in the USA.  I and several friends have had cataract operations in the US and I and they thought the care was exceptional.  Almost no eye surgeon in the US will do both eyes at once (typically 3 weeks apart) and typically one is home about 3-4 hours after each operation. Given the quality surgical techniques used these days (at least in the US), there is no reason to stay overnight in a hospital. And never heard of the "no water" comment you made.

As concerns cost, those on Medicare (65 and older.....the average age for those having cataract operations) don't pay much.  About 5 years ago, I (on Medicare) paid just shy of $900.00 for both operations including eye surgeon appointments before and after the operations. I don't know what the cost is for those without Medicare or Medicaid or for those who have private insurance.

It's great you're happy with the service and cost you experienced at Prince Hospital.  That's cool; however, your comments about how it happens in the US are both unnecessary to your story and inaccurate. 

 

I would like to rebuttal some of your arguments. Medicare does NOT pay otherwise I would have gone to LA for free; you don't know medicare I guess. If you have plan b medicare ($300/month), then yes, they will pay most if you have standard lenses; I talked to medicare.

Cost without medicare is upward of $6,000-$9,000 (per eye)  as I stated before; without laser and with, respectively. One source was NVision in San Bernardino.

I also have friends that had it done in LA, one eye, 2 wks later, the other but he had to request that.

The water comment is extremely important otherwise you risk infection; I take the advice of the hospital and doctors first and 3 hospitals have said the same thing in Chiang mai.

Unnecessary; no, it is. That is a compare of health care in the US (sucks) and here and I have had 4 hospitals worth of experience; most all orthopedics. In the US, I have had an ACL and under Health Net ins. and I never had so much trouble. Yep, ACL, the go home, same day, are you kidding? Hospitals there are trying to make the biggest buck off of you to make their profit margins bigger. Also, trying to get information out of any hospital in the US without an appoint really sucks when shopping for the right doctor and hospital. Yea, I did my best to shop around in the US from here; their health card system really needs overhauling.

[inlandchris]

12 hours ago, connda said:

I agree.  Cataract surgery here in Thailand is actually more expensive than in the America.  So much for "medical tourism" as you gain nothing other than emptying your pocketbook if coming here for cataract surgery. 

I am sorry but I was wrong. Cataract surgery in Chiang mai ranges now from 41,000 to 130,000 baht per eye. In the US without insurance, 6,000-9,000 USD per eye.

[inlandchris]

On 5/10/2024 at 3:55 PM, Greenside said:

The Out Patient department at Sriphat is brilliant.  I had cataracts in both eyes done there and recommend it without hesitation.  I believe the specialist's name is Mor Preeyanuch - she does the consultations and surgery.  The OPD is on Suthep Road adjoining the multistory car park which has a McDonalds facing the street.

The quote (using monofcal lenses) was 45,000 baht per eye but the final bill turned out just under 80k

She is very good and also recommends no washing the face for one month or no water in the eyes. I did a cataract check in her clinic for my eyes but thought she was too expensive, quoted me 70,000 baht.

[CMBob]

1 hour ago, inlandchris said:

I would like to rebuttal some of your arguments. Medicare does NOT pay otherwise I would have gone to LA for free; you don't know medicare I guess. If you have plan b medicare ($300/month), then yes, they will pay most if you have standard lenses...

I agree it requires Part A and Part B for the figures I quoted. Everyone eligible for Medicare has Part A as it's free and most people who ever want to use Medicare benefits do pay for Part B (typically via deduction from Social Security benefits).  The monthly cost for Part B is somewhat based on gross income (what you pay in monthly premium for one year is based on your gross income 2 years prior).  Presuming your gross income in 2022 was $103k or less, your 2024 monthly premium for Part B is 174.70.

[Inlandchris1]

8 hours ago, CMBob said:

I agree it requires Part A and Part B for the figures I quoted. Everyone eligible for Medicare has Part A as it's free and most people who ever want to use Medicare benefits do pay for Part B (typically via deduction from Social Security benefits).  The monthly cost for Part B is somewhat based on gross income (what you pay in monthly premium for one year is based on your gross income 2 years prior).  Presuming your gross income in 2022 was $103k or less, your 2024 monthly premium for Part B is 174.70.

Yes, but in my case, I did not want plan B because you can’t use medicare while inside Thailand so no point in paying for something you can’t use. After not having plan B, you want it now? They add up all the years you didn't have it and add it to your premium. So, that makes my premium >$330 per month! I have been living in Thailand since I was 54, retired, now 73, do the math.

[Inlandchris1]

On 6/9/2024 at 9:53 AM, connda said:

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind for eye care as I live about 30 minutes from Muang Lamphun but from the south in Lamphun province.  If they are doing cataract surgery on a government contract then they probably perform more surgeries than the average private hospital cataract surgeon. 

I heard 60 surgeries per week

[mickmac]

On 5/4/2024 at 8:31 PM, Mike Lister said:

Take a look at Sriphat, Chiang Mai, the university hospital. Cataract surgery there starts at 35k per eye.

Was quoted 47,000 per eye last week, by Sripat.  Quoted 70,000 per eye at BANGKOK hospital, CNX.