Cataract surgery in Thailand

[sandyf]

2 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

There are a number of different lenses, some are quite expensive, but they might be your best choice, and we are talking about your eyesight. Not the time to go cheap Charlie on yourself.

Of course there is a choice but you have to understand what is being offered and price does not mean best choice.

Variofocal lenses are about 3 times the price of good monofocal lenses but there was never a chance in hxll that I would ever consider that option.

I wore variofocal glasses for well over 40 years and have had to take a few pairs back to the opticians, not so easy with surgery.

[donmuang37]

I had cataract surgery in both eyes at a private hospital in January 2022.  Excellent result; no problems.  I know many others who have had cataract surgery here in Thailand, and don't know of anyone who had a problem.  Caveat:  Go to an experienced ophthalmologist at a reputable hospital, not some fly-by-night clinic.  As someone mentioned, the cheapest price may not be your best option. That said, the better government hospitals should be cheaper than most private hospitals.  Good luck!

[sandyf]

6 minutes ago, MJCM said:

Nope not from the Uk. I have to pay myself and thus send the hospital an email just to ask if I could come and visit them.

 

 I was already planning on going back there for Driving license and passport renewal so.

 

 I am totally not happy that the local Doc wants to do both eyes just days apart. So I want to make sure..

I wasn't too happy about both at the same time, waited till I had one done before booking the second. Bit uncomfortable for a few weeks my glasses could no longer be used and everything felt lopsided.

I have seen a few people at the hospital I went have both eyes done at the same time,  my wife's uncle booked a room and stayed overnight, never heard of any having problems.

My half brother in the UK had to beg to get his done, his wife has MS and he was struggling to read the prescriptions. They suggested both eyes at once and he jumped at the chance, worked out ok.

As they say, up to you.

[thecyclist]

33 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

yes indeed - the lens makes a huge difference to cost, anywhere in the world.

 

To avail of the better English speaking etc in Thailand you may have to go to a private hospital and cost will be around 100K per eye. The least expensive Thai option, upcountry government hospitals, is not feasible if not living here and just flying in for the treatment.  Also note that you will need to be here for a while as there is follow up care. By the time yo uadd in flight and hotel, will cost yo ua great deal more than doing this in VN.

 

Private health care in VN is substantially better bargain, price wise, compared to Thailand. Cataract removal is the single most common opthalmological procedure and any opthalmologist will be expert in it.

Well, my Thai is probably still good enough to avail myself of the cheaper upcountry option, my Vietnamese, unfortunately, is nowhere near that level

I am currently only working online, so a more extended stay in Thailand is a possibility. Whether I am in Thailand or in Vietnam, my daily expenses are about the same. So it all comes down to the price and quality of the operation itself. 

[JimmyJ]

49 minutes ago, treetops said:

Can you give an approximate amount for the different lenses to give an idea of what to expect?  A local hospital in the UK offers:

• Monofocal – corrects either short or long sight, with a choice of three focal points
• Toric – a monofocal lens that helps correct astigmatism (a problem with focusing)
• Multifocal – corrects both near and distance vision, like varifocal glasses

Are there any others available?

Current price - At Sriphat (private) Hospital in Chiang Mai - 

 

1 Monofocal Lens = 6,552 B

 

1 Toric Lens = 17,880 B

___________

 

"Are there any others available?"

 

Tons of info effortlessly available on the net to answer the types available - No need to ask that here.

[digbeth]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

What's the follow up like if it goes wrong?

Cheapness is not the thing to consider when dealing with eyes. We only get two for our entire life, no backups.

If anything goes wrong it's probably gonna be an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital, of which there are many in the area, surprisingly the mall this clinic was in was full of beauty clinics probably for the same reason.

 

We went to had a look and felt confident with the doctor, low cost would probably from him being efficient with his time, having the patients prepped and lined up, the surgery was only 20-30 minute tops, the doctor and 1 assistant plus a few nurse was a very tightly run operation and earning enough to justify mall rent despite only operating 3 days in a week. 

[scubascuba3]

35 minutes ago, sandyf said:

I wasn't too happy about both at the same time, waited till I had one done before booking the second. Bit uncomfortable for a few weeks my glasses could no longer be used and everything felt lopsided.

I have seen a few people at the hospital I went have both eyes done at the same time,  my wife's uncle booked a room and stayed overnight, never heard of any having problems.

My half brother in the UK had to beg to get his done, his wife has MS and he was struggling to read the prescriptions. They suggested both eyes at once and he jumped at the chance, worked out ok.

As they say, up to you.

I've heard of 2 people in Thailand where op went wrong and effected their sight long term. When you look at both people in the eyes they have a blurred not focusing look about them. Both had both eyes done the same time, I'd definitely go with one at a time if i needed the op

[sandyf]

13 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I've heard of 2 people in Thailand where op went wrong and effected their sight long term. When you look at both people in the eyes they have a blurred not focusing look about them. Both had both eyes done the same time, I'd definitely go with one at a time if i needed the op

I fail to understand why such a comment, did you miss the bit where I expressed the same reservation.

Problems occur but the reality is however under the laws of probability the risk of a problem is exactly the same irrespective of when the eyes are done. Problems are more likely as a result of choices rather when the eyes are done.

The decision should really rest on how uncomfortable it would be to have one eye done and not the other. If having one eye done has little detriment to your way of life then obviously the way to go, but who is going to know.

My reservation was an error of judgement leading to quite an uncomfortable 10 weeks between ops. I was going about with the weak eye covered most of the time.

[pattaya1234was]

On 2/22/2023 at 7:01 AM, mikesil said:

Let me join those saying this is not something to be done for lowest cost.   From personal experience I recommend Rutnin in Bangkok.  Ask for Dr. Sombat --- however, he may be retired by now.

Or Dr Roy at Rutnin also

[Bundooman]

I  had this surgery here in Chiang Mai -8-9 years ago. I had both eyes done separately with about a year between each. (I was too cowardly to 'risk' both eyes at the same time).

 

I checked with my doctor here in CM about my deteriorating vision - I was about 69-70 years old at the time. He recommended that I visit the eye specialist who operates very close to the moat in the south-East corner. 

 

the lady specialist extensively checked and appraised my eyesight and I had my first operation some weeks later. The cost then, if I remember correctly was 42,000 Baht. I had my right eye done first, (my worst eye) and the operation was carried out at Suang-Doc hospital on the Suthep Road.

 

It was a painless and surprising procedure - I was awake the whole time and no discomfort whatsoever. I required some basic after-care, dark glasses for a few weeks, eye drops etc, and it was completed.  When I returned for my check - I was amazed that my right eye was just a clear as my left eye had been.

 

My second operation was a mirror of my first - and the same price. The lady doctor was superb and even now, my eyesight is quite clear at 78. I require glasses for reading and close computer work, but otherwise I don't need them and I continue to drive - without them.

 

An excellent experience. My first port of call was the elderly doctor in the Loi Kroh Road. I have been his patient for some 25+ years, which included a number of back-packing years. 

 

I hoe this is of some help.

 

[MJCM]

I can only say one thing.
 

Please do get a 2nd opinion thus do not rush getting the surgery.

[riclag]

On 2/22/2023 at 2:22 PM, unblocktheplanet said:

I can see astigmatism correction but what help was it to your Dry Eye Disease?

None , sorry if you got that impression from my comment!

I use alcon liquid tears  when my eyes feel irritated.Something im gonna have to live with he told me. 
15 ml last me 4 months at 350 bht.

[thailand49]

On 2/22/2023 at 7:00 AM, Expat68 said:

One year ago I had both eyes done in Chiang Mai at a private hospital. 45,000 baht each eye (everything included, only have to wait one hour  before being allowed home) you have to wait a minimum of one week between each eye. The doctor was really honest with me, she said I could get it cheaper elsewhere but the quality of the lenses are not all the same. Post op, for 24 hours you have to wear a patch over your eye, after this, wear a shield at night time for one month. Sunglasses recommended in daytime (in fact she said everyone living in Thailand should wear sunglasses) Hope this helps

what hospital and Dr.  Name would be great

[statman78]

I had cataract surgery late last year at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok.  The cost was about 90,000 baht per eye but I stayed overnight so that my insurance covered it.  A friend of mine had it done as an outpatient but I’m not sure wants he paid

[Expat68]

13 hours ago, thailand49 said:

what hospital and Dr.  Name would be great

Dr. Somsanguan Ausayakhum

Hospital:

Sriphat Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, 110/392 Inthawarorot Rd., Chiang Mai 

 

[crouchpeter]

On 2/21/2023 at 8:28 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

Unless there is something google isn't telling me, laser isn't ( yet ) used for cataracts, but for corneal shaping.

However, I'd never personally get laser treatment as if it goes wrong it would be disastrous ( and there is ALWAYS the chance that something will go wrong, which is why we have to sign a consent ).

 

Re the OP, this is NOT something to be done for cheapest cost. If it's done wrong it'll be a crisis. I've seen a few cataract surgeries that went wrong and not happy occasions.

Get the best you can afford.

Tell us something about the cataract surgeries you've seen that went wrong. Supposed to be rare, but a bit scary.