I recently got a new prescription from an optician in Pattaya, and already I'm getting some difficulty focusing while driving and some difficulties with reading, despite my varifocal lenses.  I think I'd like a thorough check for cataracts, glaucoma and any other potential eye problems that can occur with age.

 

Presumably this is best done at a specialist eye clinic/hospital and not at an opticians.  
 

I know there's Rutnin in Bangkok, but are there any other places recommended, either in Pattaya or Bangkok?

I had great service in this hozzy in BKK...

www.siphhospital.com

This lady on Klang is apparently good, she's got one of those evening eye clinics, see if she does what you need.

 

Chaksuwet Optical Clinic

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DZBmn7euxd3ZFNhS9

Make an appointment at any Ophthalmology department at any hospital (I've used both private or government).  They will dilate your eyes and your vision will be fuzzy for about 6 to 8 hours afterwards so have someone drive you.  Full exam takes about an hour including the time to dilate your eyes.
Unfortunately your varifocal lenses may either be the wrong prescription (I've had it happen) or you need to get use to them if you never have had mult-focus lens..  Personally I stick with single vision lens and just take my glasses off if I want to read.  I was never particularly happy with bi-focals (no less varifocal) plus they cost an arm and a leg.
If you are a good candidate for a lens replacement (cataracts) then the new lenses they implant in your eye can take care of a number of vision problems.

Best of luck.

Just now, connda said:

Unfortunately your varifocal lenses may either be the wrong prescription (I've had it happen)

Same here, lenses too strong and an unnecessary prism incorporated. Unfortunately, I persevered for too long trying to adapt to my new glasses. Finally went to another optician where I was seen by a qualified eye doctor who ran clinics at my local hospital. He was concerned that as I had gone so long my vision could now be 'banjaxed'. He prescribed lower strength lenses without a prism. He kindly offered to exchange these new lenses for others with a prism for no extra cost if I was unable to cope. 

Rutnin is by far the best and most thorough

Rutnin in BKK is the best. Dr. Roy's the man. However, you probably don't need the best quite yet, and one of the hospital eye clinics should be OK. Public hospital, Queen Sirikit has a great opthamologist, but it may take a while to get an appt. w/ her. Two trips would be needed, and then there's the inevitable wait time at the clinic. I believe someone said she also works at Pattaya Memorial. I may be mistaken, however.

22 minutes ago, BigStar said:

Rutnin in BKK is the best. Dr. Roy's the man. However, you probably don't need the best quite yet, and one of the hospital eye clinics should be OK. Public hospital, Queen Sirikit has a great opthamologist, but it may take a while to get an appt. w/ her. Two trips would be needed, and then there's the inevitable wait time at the clinic. I believe someone said she also works at Pattaya Memorial. I may be mistaken, however.

Yes, that's what I was thinking.  If I need anything serious done I would certainly go for Rutnin, but I think currently I just need a slightly more thorough check than I got from the optician.

 

I'm registered at Pattaya Memorial so maybe I'll try there.

38 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Yes, that's what I was thinking.  If I need anything serious done I would certainly go for Rutnin, but I think currently I just need a slightly more thorough check than I got from the optician.

 

I'm registered at Pattaya Memorial so maybe I'll try there.

See an Optometrist for an eye exam and an Ophthalmologist for anything more serious. There aren't that many licensed Optometrists in Thailand, there is a national shortage (under1,500), you certainly wont find one in a typical high street glasses shop. I know of only one bona fide, licensed Optometrist in Chiang Mai. An excellent article in the Bangkok Post dated 21 July 2021 describes (google)... the three different types of eye doctors.... here and the educational requirements.