Cataract surgery in Cambodia

[thecyclist]

Wouldn't have considered this 10/15/20 years ago, but Cambodia has come a long way, and in Thailand private hospitals are just too expensive, while government hospitals either have a long wait or 2 tier pricing. 

In Vietnam, where I spend most of my time now, a lot of the hospitals are not allowed to operate on foreigners. So I am considering Cambodia. 

Anybody has any information about the quality, pricing etc at eye hospitals in Cambodia. 

[Bill97]

Why not Laos?

[MJCM]

There must be a reason why in for example a hospital like Rutnin. (Specialized Eye Hospital in BKK) a lot of Cambodians visit to get treated.

[Mike Lister]

Cataract surgery in the North of Thailand, at a private hospital, using standard IOL, costs between 25k and 35k Baht per eye. Even at the CMU semi private hospital called Sriphat, it's still only 35k and that's using an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology! Princ Hospital in Lamphun will charge 25k baht per eye. 

 

https://princlamphun.com/

[scubascuba3]

I would investigate India as well, quick flight there and a fraction of the cost

[Andre0720]

At Bangkok Hospital in Phuket, in 2022, cataract operation, all included, 115,000 bahts, one eye.

[oxo1947]

1 hour ago, Andre0720 said:

At Bangkok Hospital in Phuket, in 2022, cataract operation, all included, 115,000 bahts, one eye.

Udon Thani One of the bKK eye hospitals has opened here ---30,000Bht 1 eye

[Burma Bill]

4 hours ago, thecyclist said:

Anybody has any information about the quality, pricing etc at eye hospitals in Cambodia. 

 

A "starter" for reference: Check this website (Siem Reap Regional Eye Hospital) -

 

https://sokhakrom.com/en/hospital/detail/108#:~:text=The SRREH is also a,%2C glaucoma%2C paediatric and oculoplasty.

 

Please note many Cambodians requring eye surgery, and other specialist treatments, cross the border into Thailand to attend the Thai Government Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani where there are special arrangements for them as private patients. Laotians and "farangs" can attend as well.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1 by Burma Bill
additional information

[Sheryl]

Cost will be higher than in Thailand and quality is less reliable. But if set on proceeding there then yes, the referenced hospital in Siem Reap, or the Takeo Eye Hospital, would be best bets. These are government hospitals but in Cambodia, that does not mean  inexpensive. Note that besides "official" fees, under the table payments are common.  Personally, I would not do this.

 

No advantage whatsoever to doing this in Cambodia. Most Cambodians, if they can, come to Thailand or Viet Nam for this.

 

In Thailand, there is a government eye hospital in Nakhon Pathom  with a quasi-private (but still very affordable)  branch in Bangkok. No double tier pricing AFAIK and no reason to expect a long wait list either:

 

https://www.metta.go.th/

 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=275903085761851&paipv=0&eav=AfacOOVKG6tS5rFWKXiInue040afPy93IB6kAh_Dvjy7uhpdWrxd3d3srNIO3t47D_M&_rdr

 

 

 

 

[Red Forever]

Check out Doctor Sima in Ubon.

21000 to 25500 baht (depending on choice of lenses).

Op takes 15 minutes, pain free.

Follow up inspection a week later.

All inclusive price.

[rwill]

16 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Why not Laos?

it would cost millions (in Kip)

[AAArdvark]

There is a charity doctor from Nepal who travels around Asia and does cataract surgery for the destitute. He has his own lens facility. It is free and his own cost is $4 per eye. 

[DavidAlexander]

Keep in mind, the cataract surgery cost has two parts: the surgery and the lens. The lens can be as much as or double the cost of the surgery.

[Scouse123]

There is no way on this earth would I consider Cambodia for eye surgery, and I am a fan of Cambodia.

 

I had my front teeth done down there with porcelain veneers at a great high quality place in Phnom Penn.

 

Anybody that is doing OK in business that I know in Cambodia seeks treatment, check-ups, operations and procedures in Thailand.

 

I myself, practiced what I preached, as I had eye surgery last year, cataracts and lens replacement, but I went to the best I could find in Wetherby, UK to an eye surgeon of good repute.

 

I am too afraid to take chances with my vision.

 

It was quite expensive at, 3800 GBP an eye, for the multi focal lens and the procedure, but how much is peace of mind.

 

The Lenses are very different in price depending on what you opt for and can bump up costs considerably.

 

British people are getting them done FREE OF CHARGE now in a conveyor belt type system in the UK, they are doing so many. It also is done in a matter of weeks, not months.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 2 by Scouse123

[natway09]

I would not go to Cambodia for eye surgery.

Rutnin quoted 110,000 Bht.

Bangkok Hospital had a special on for 65,000 Bht.

Both single std lens which is what I wanted.

I now know can get up north for 40,000.

Just check a few time during the year as like most businesses they have their "quiet" periods.

[thecyclist]

Thanks for all the input. I also posted this on the Cambodia expat forum. Two recommended, from personal experience, a Do Saiha in PP.

Additionally I got this reply:

"The foremost and most advanced total eye care centre in Cambodia is not in Phnom Penh, it is in Battambang, and most people have never heard of it, and it does not have a website as it was set up in 2007 to service the total eye care needs of the poorest of the poor in northwestern Cambodia (but in fact people from all over Cambodia and from all walks of life now come to the BOC, in increasing numbers, instead of going to Thailand or further afield)- it is the Battambang Ophthalmic Care - BOC at # 378 Street # 3, Battambang. About a two minute walk from the Psar Nat, the central market in Battambang, and directly opposite the Piphetthearm Pagoda. Behind that nondescript building façade is to be found several floors of wonderful optometry, ophthalmology and an excellent modern operating theatre.

Unlike any other centre for eyes in Cambodia, it has won two International Awards for excellence in total eye care. Last month it was awarded by the APAO - Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and pre Covid-19 it received international recognition from the ACOIN - Association of Community Ophthalmology of India."

I will be cycling from Vietnam through Cambodia to Thailand, so I can check out both options.

[helloagain]

On 5/1/2024 at 3:32 PM, thecyclist said:

Wouldn't have considered this 10/15/20 years ago, but Cambodia has come a long way, and in Thailand private hospitals are just too expensive, while government hospitals either have a long wait or 2 tier pricing. 

In Vietnam, where I spend most of my time now, a lot of the hospitals are not allowed to operate on foreigners. So I am considering Cambodia. 

Anybody has any information about the quality, pricing etc at eye hospitals in Cambodia. 

Your eyes is one of your seances you do not want to play with. I had 2 cataract's removed at the same time with best lens, my doctor is for 16 y the head of that section in the international hospital in phuket town. Halfway through she leaves the theater to change clothes & scrub up again. I chose general anesthetic I have had no problems at all. If you chose not to be put asleep it will be alot cheaper. I recommend her 100%.

[helloagain]

Your eyes is one of your seances you do not want to play with. I had 2 cataract's removed at the same time with best lens, my doctor is for 16 y the head of that section in the international hospital in phuket town. Halfway through she leaves the theater to change clothes & scrub up again. I chose general anesthetic I have had no problems at all. If you chose not to be put asleep it will be alot cheaper. I recommend her 100%.

[BangkokHank]

I spent five weeks in Dalat, Vietnam, during this past March and April. While I was there, I saw a modern-looking eye hospital, so I stopped by to get my eyes checked for cataracts. The eye test cost me the equivalent of 220 baht, and the result was that I don't need cataract surgery just yet. However, the doctor said I should continue testing myself every year because I will eventually need the surgery.

 

So I took the opportunity to enquire about the cost of the cataract surgery there, and it ranged from about $1,000 per eye up to $2,000 per eye for the newest, fanciest lenses. The doctor told me that he does cataract surgeries every day, so I would feel comfortable having the surgery done there when my time comes. This is the website of the hospital:

 

https://matsaigondalat.com

 

And here is the price list, which I photographed when I was there. Everything is in Vietnamese, but you can see the names of each kind of lens in English - and research them based on that. Right now there are about 25,000 Vietnamese dong to the US dollar.

 

 

 

 

[LatPhrao]

Have recently been searching for cataract surgery options in Thailand.  The Aseannow thread came up but information was out of date, but it was a start.                                                                                                          I can now vouch for and would like to update that a quality option at Hospital Sirivej Lamphun aka Princ Lamphun Hospital, at the small town of Lamphun (not far from Chiang Mai), is available.  In the past they ran a promotion targeted at foreigners for 18,000 thb.  As of this month - May 2024 that price is now 26,700 thb.                                                                                                                                Cataract Surgery with Standard Lens: 27,600 THB  (*best price found in Thailand - May 2024)
Cataract Surgery with Specialized Lens: 40,800 THB      

Hospital is available on Line for consulting and working out appointments.                                                                                         I have just completed the surgery - can recommend the caring staff, the nurses and aides, the hospital - Princ Lamphun Hospital, the facility, the surgeon. Hospital is in a rustic setting. The hospital is modern, clean, well maintained  They do have a few English speakers. I had the fortune of a Thai friend, English speaker, who accompanied me.  Highly recommend doing the same to ease all aspects of travel, lodging and dealing with hospital and staff.