Ophthalmic opticians.

[Gandtee]

I recently purchased spectacles from a Chain optical shop and they are not doing what I expected. Is there  private ophthalmic doctor in the Pattaya area I could try for eye testing? I read sometime back on this forum of one on Thepprasit Rd but can't find the post.

[nigelforbes]

Opticians/optometrists work in private practise and occasionally in eye glass chains (but rarely). Opthamologists work in hospitals.

[Gandtee]

1 hour ago, nigelforbes said:

Opticians/optometrists work in private practise and occasionally in eye glass chains (but rarely). Opthamologists work in hospitals.

Thank you for enlightening me. It's the former I want.Opticians /optometrists. I'm trying to avoid inflated hospital fees.

[Sheryl]

OP yoh should see an ophthslmoligist.

 

1 - opticians in Thailand on the whole are poorly trained. In fact many people filling that role have no formal training at all.

 

2- it is possible the problem is not the prescription but an underlying eye problem like cataract. Which optician cannot diagnose..

 

in terms of hospital fees I suggest the ophalmologust at Queen Sirikit Hospital (government facility) or same doctor at her private clinic on Pattaya Klong (evenings and weekends only. Arrive 4-5 PM).

 

[DaLa]

20 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Thank you for enlightening me. It's the former I want.Opticians /optometrists. I'm trying to avoid inflated hospital fees.

Hospital fees.  I woke up with an eye infection about 1 year ago blurred vision, swollen but no pain.  I was in Chiang Mai at the time and was directed by hotel staff to go to one of the public hospitals near the airport. I checked in and was seen by a specialist within 30 minutes. She gave me a thorough inspection, then wrote it all down (longhand) on a piece of A4 for reference as she knew I was coming back to Bangkok. 1600 baht including the medication. Personally I was relieved to be seen so quickly, dealt with professionally and on that particular occasion I found the fees more than fair.

[BigStar]

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

in terms of hospital fees I suggest the ophalmologust at Queen Sirikit Hospital (government facility) or same doctor at her private clinic on Pattaya Klong (evenings and weekends only. Arrive 4-5 PM).

She's really excellent, but you'll have to make an appt far in advance to see her at Sirikit. I waited about 3 months, dunno if that's normal; and she was very busy on the day I finally saw her.

 

Would be worth it to see her at her clinic, I think.

[lopburi3]

A full exam at a private hospital (immediate on demand) would likely not cost more than 2-3k or so.  Obviously if issues found cost for additional tests could increase price but eyesight is not something you want to take a chance on.

 

Note you wrote you purchased eyeglasses at a chain store and in most peoples experience that is where the real high costs are found.  The cost for real doctor and hospital costs are really quite reasonable.

[BigStar]

 

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

Note you wrote you purchased eyeglasses at a chain store and in most peoples experience that is where the real high costs are found.  The cost for real doctor and hospital costs are really quite reasonable.

However, Sheryl is suggesting an ophthalmologist for determining possible underlying conditions. Few ophthalmologists in Thailand will do an eyeglass prescription. One at PIH gave me one, and it was about the worst I've ever had. The best was from Euro Optic; but Dr. Maria won't give you an exam unless you're going to buy the glasses from her.

[lopburi3]

46 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

However, Sheryl is suggesting an ophthalmologist for determining possible underlying conditions. Few ophthalmologists in Thailand will do an eyeglass prescription. One at PIH gave me one, and it was about the worst I've ever had. The best was from Euro Optic; but Dr. Maria won't give you an exam unless you're going to buy the glasses from her.

In my experience they will all provide such and if additional testing required will have it done at hospital eye department by a trained optometrist or ophthalmologist.  Eye exam (20 foot/computer/pressure) will likely be first step before even having doctor visit.  

 

There is a severe shortage of trained optometrists in Thailand as it only became a profession about 10 years ago.  Ophthalmologists routinely provide prescribing functions.

[Sheryl]

54 minutes ago, BigStar said:

 

However, Sheryl is suggesting an ophthalmologist for determining possible underlying conditions. Few ophthalmologists in Thailand will do an eyeglass prescription. One at PIH gave me one, and it was about the worst I've ever had. The best was from Euro Optic; but Dr. Maria won't give you an exam unless you're going to buy the glasses from her.

 

I am suggesting an opthalmologist for both prescription (or checking if current prescription is correct) AND ruling out other underlying conditions.

 

I have never had a problem getting a prescription from an opthalmologist.

[BigStar]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

I am suggesting an opthalmologist for both prescription (or checking if current prescription is correct) AND ruling out other underlying conditions.

 

I have never had a problem getting a prescription from an opthalmologist.

OK. However, we had a thread a year or so ago from a member extremely frustrated that ophthalmologists at hsps wouldn't give him an eyeglass prescription. I can recall two I've asked in the past who said they didn't do it and suggested I see the optometrist in the hsp.

Edited January 4, 2023 by BigStar

[Gandtee]

Thank you to all those who have given me their advice. Much appreciated.

[Gandtee]

To follow up on this subject, albeit a bit late. I had laser treatment to both eyes (Aging apparently) Painless, and I had 20/20 vision immediately. Amazing. cost? Bt14,000 and well worth it. Thanks Sheryl and to all those who gave me advice.

[stubuzz]

10 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

To follow up on this subject, albeit a bit late. I had laser treatment to both eyes (Aging apparently) Painless, and I had 20/20 vision immediately. Amazing. cost? Bt14,000 and well worth it. Thanks Sheryl and to all those who gave me advice.

Bt 14,000 for 2 eyes? What exactly did you have done?

[KannikaP]

On 1/4/2023 at 1:24 PM, Gandtee said:

Thank you for enlightening me. It's the former I want.Opticians /optometrists. I'm trying to avoid inflated hospital fees.

Usually the private or chain shops will not give you the prescription as they want to sell you frames as well. The hospital test is probably better and that's all you get, so you can buy your frames and lenses anywhere.

I have had several pairs from Zenni and all been top notch.

[KannikaP]

On 1/4/2023 at 7:43 PM, Sheryl said:

The best was from Euro Optic; but Dr. Maria won't give you an exam unless you're going to buy the glasses from her.

Yes, used her when I lived in Pattaya. Very good.

[KannikaP]

14 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

To follow up on this subject, albeit a bit late. I had laser treatment to both eyes (Aging apparently) Painless, and I had 20/20 vision immediately. Amazing. cost? Bt14,000 and well worth it. Thanks Sheryl and to all those who gave me advice.

Come on please share that advice. For Bht 14000 I'll be there this afternoon.

[Tiber]

There is pattaya optical. Klang not far from 2 road 400 baht, do not sell glasses, but will if pushed 

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