I have had cataracts for some time, although they have until recently been little more than irritating. Over the last couple of weeks they have got much worse, more so in the left eye.

I am going to need surgery, certainly on the left eye. The right eye can wait a while.

My health insurer will not cover it - I am diabetic (well controlled) but they exclude it - they are frankly about as much use as an ash tray on a motorbike!

Has anyone had it done recently, and can give me a guide as to the cost!

According to AI it costs B35000 per eye upwards in a private hospital, so if anyone has any experience of a government hospital I would be gateful.

Edited July 30Jul 30 by JAG

Got mine done in the states you will be thrilled with the results.its a very very common procedure get it done!good luck and sorry I can’t help you with the pricing.

Read up on it, sometimes they correct long vision and you need glasses for short vision, etc depends, they may not explain

Prices will vary considerably but your main concern is having a very experienced doctor even though it is a simple operation. You need to ask them how many they do each day, week or month.

Had one done at a local regional hospital but he failed to clean out all of the debris from old lens, that led to a detached retina and now WET macular degeneration.

Had the other eye done at Supamitr hospital in Suphan Buri where he was doing 10 that day. Cost was about 32,000 and have had no problems since.

I have done both eyes within 2 months.

The Ophtalmologist, Dr. Chayamon from Wattanaphat Hospital in Trang, has been amaying. She took all the time to explain me the procedure in all details.

It is an incredible moment, when within 24 hours you recover sight to 100%!

I am 71 and feel like reborn.

I can only strongly recommend to do it! My experience at Wattanaphat Hospital in Trang was definitely the best.

It costed 35K per eye.

The operation was painless and less than 30 minutes!

Good luck, go for it 🤗

When I last went to the eye doctor he said he knew I wore sunglasses.

You don't wear sunglasses, correct 😎

5 hours ago, JAG said:

I have had cataracts for some time, although they have until recently been little more than irritating. Over the last couple of weeks they have got much worse, more so in the left eye.

I am going to need surgery, certainly on the left eye. The right eye can wait a while.

My health insurer will not cover it - I am diabetic (well controlled) but they exclude it - they are frankly about as much use as an ash tray on a motorbike!

Has anyone had it done recently, and can give me a guide as to the cost!

According to AI it costs B35000 per eye upwards in a private hospital, so if anyone has any experience of a government hospital I would be gateful.

If your vision has got much worse in a short space of time it's a good idea to have a general eye check done to make sure it's the cataracts, not something else.

I can't speak to cost in Thailand. I recently had both eyes done, but paid to go private (in UK). It's worked out well - not perfect, but good enough that I passed Class 2 aviation medical with no limitations on vision. Before the surgery my vision had gone below the standards in one eye thanks to cataracts.

You don't say whether your eyes are 'normal' or not: by which I mean are you short-sighted, do you have astigmatism, have you had any previous surgery (Lasik) etc? All factors that can make cataract surgery a little more complicated and the results harder to predict.

Good luck!

I HIGHLY recommend you get at least two opinions. I had a doctor, well known at one of the most popular hospitals in Pattaya, recommend I get both eyes done at once without telling me about the different lenses available. I went to a doctor in the states who told me I only needed one eye right now and explained the array of different lenses available and how they would affect my vision. The Pattaya doctor was only interested in making a profit.

Worn spectacles on an occasional basis from age 40 but needed them more and more from age 60 and needed a new prescription every year or so. Fed up with losing clarity of vision and constantly cleaning spectacles, which were already clean, so at age 69 went to a highly regarded ophthalmologist in UK who advised cataracts were becoming larger. Could have cataract surgery with the National Health Service but would still need spectacles.

Decided to go private and, a year later, had refractive lens exchange laser surgery in both eyes for astigmatism, cataracts and macular degeneration in UK end April 2026 with a highly regarded surgeon. Opted for the Ziemer Z8 femtosecond laser system and Toric lenses.

Very good results with N6 reading, excellent intermediate and clear distance. Over the course of 10-12 weeks noticed some very slight blurring, apparently due to lens not 100% lined up with pupil during healing, so back in UK for slight refinement to improve near vision to N5 and further clarity at distance.

Very expensive (GBP 8,500) but excellent results with superb aftercare (all included). I will have another check-up next year to confirm all remains good or if any further refinement is required. Extremely pleased with the results

Edited July 30Jul 30 by Encore

8 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

When I last went to the eye doctor he said he knew I wore sunglasses.

You don't wear sunglasses, correct 😎

I NEVER wore sunglasses my whole life except when driving or boating for road and water glare. When my eyes started to deteriorate, the first thing doc asked was, "Do you wear sunglasses?" I have sported a pair of look-like-a-blind-person sunglasses ever since.

Prices vary widely depending on (1) Government vs private hospital and (2) type of lens implanted.

Least expensive option is government hospital with standard lens. These work fine for vision except reading, most people will still need reading glasses.

In a government hospital with standard lens, one eye will be 20-30K inclusive of preop and post op checks unless it is one of the government hospitals which have a surcharge for foreigners in which case more. At a private hospital with standard lens, 80 - 100k for one eye. At all hospitals, other than standard lens (progressive lens etc) will substantially increase cost.

Where in Thailand are you?

I had mine done in Thailand. Costs vary dramatically. Can be has low as 10,000 baht per eye, local hospital to 45,000 baht and up. Mine cost 35,000 per eye, the doctor was up front with me and told me I could get cheaper but the quality of the lens can vary. I thoroughly recommend having it/them done

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Expat68

23 hours ago, JAG said:

My health insurer will not cover it - I am diabetic (well controlled) but they exclude it - they are frankly about as much use as an ash tray on a motorbike!

I wonder what kind of excuse they would use if you didn't have diabetes.

17 minutes ago, Celsius said:

I wonder what kind of excuse they would use if you didn't have diabetes.

They would find one, pre existing comes to mind

I had both eyes done at a private hospital in Kalasin, 25,000 each. The hospital seems to specialise in it as people are bused in from as far away as Mukdahan. Surgery takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and an overnight stay is required (a friend in the UK had his done on the NHS and was allowed to go home on the bus straight afterwards, but where's the profit in that for the private hospital, nudge nudge). You are checked the next morning by a doctor who may or may not be the same as did the surgery (over a period of weeks during which I had first one eye done and then the other, and went back for checking, I don't think I ever saw the same doctor twice).

If the OP is worried about the procedure, don't be. Painless, takes about 10 minutes, but care has to be taken for a month afterwards.

Interesting the subjects about cataract surgery about five years ago from my general yearly checkup the doctor told me to see it ophthalmologist cause he noticed cataracts I started taking eye vitamins in five years later one eye is about the same no problem and the other eye really hasn’t changed that much but it changed the point now I’m thinking about having it done I contacted my insurance company and they approved for one eye of 120,000 they’ll pay for I wanna get the lens the very best which you can see far away and you can see medium range and probably for reading I think the cheaper lens is I remember looking at the estimate was around 7000 that’s not including any other fees I’m gonna try to have it done within the next week or two

14 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Prices vary widely depending on (1) Government vs private hospital and (2) type of lens implanted.

Least expensive option is government hospital with standard lens. These work fine for vision except reading, most people will still need reading glasses.

In a government hospital with standard lens, one eye will be 20-30K inclusive of preop and post op checks unless it is one of the government hospitals which have a surcharge for foreigners in which case more. At a private hospital with standard lens, 80 - 100k for one eye. At all hospitals, other than standard lens (progressive lens etc) will substantially increase cost.

Where in Thailand are you?

Chiang Rai. I'm told by the nurse who checked my eyes at my recent diabetes clinic check, that If I travel to Pai (?) just south of Chiang Rai I can get it done (basic lens I assume) for just under 10K. Since I have always worn spectacles ( contact lenses when I was young and dashing) that doesn't bother me.

I did both eyes at the Government Hospital Banphaeo near Bangkok ! Fantastic modern eye clinic ! I paid 30'000 for both eyes ! My friends paid

90'000-120'000 for the same operation in Private Hospitals ! Take your pick !

On 7/30/2026 at 10:43 AM, SiSePuede419 said:

When I last went to the eye doctor he said he knew I wore sunglasses.

You don't wear sunglasses, correct 😎

No, I have hardly ever worn them. I have started wearing a cap, with the visor pulled low, in bright light. That helps.

24 minutes ago, JAG said:

No, I have hardly ever worn them. I have started wearing a cap, with the visor pulled low, in bright light. That helps.

24 minutes ago, JAG said:

No, I have hardly ever worn them. I have started wearing a cap, with the visor pulled low, in bright light. That helps.

Just now, Golden Brown said:

24 minutes ago, JAG said:

No, I have hardly ever worn them. I have started wearing a cap, with the visor pulled low, in bright light. That helps.

24 minutes ago, JAG said:

No, I have hardly ever worn them. I have started wearing a cap, with the visor pulled low, in bright light. That helps.

I also reside in Chiang Rai and am attending Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok (Asoke area) for a check up late August, 2026. There [rice is on the high side, approximately Bt80,000 per eye. If surgery required, I intend going for the long vision lens and will arrange a date for one eye to be done early December and the other eye early February, 2027. Rutnin Hospital specialise in eye surgery and was recommended by a friend.

On 7/30/2026 at 9:10 AM, JAG said:

I have had cataracts for some time, although they have until recently been little more than irritating. Over the last couple of weeks they have got much worse, more so in the left eye.

I am going to need surgery, certainly on the left eye. The right eye can wait a while.

My health insurer will not cover it - I am diabetic (well controlled) but they exclude it - they are frankly about as much use as an ash tray on a motorbike!

Has anyone had it done recently, and can give me a guide as to the cost!

According to AI it costs B35000 per eye upwards in a private hospital, so if anyone has any experience of a government hospital I would be gateful.

Sorry, it has been since 2017 since I had both natural lens removed and replaced with prescription lens. At that time the cost was $1500 usd each eye. My Medicare Advantage covered the cost. I can recommend Rutnin Eye Hospital , Asoke & Montri, Bangkok. all they do is eyes so very specialized and experienced. It is your sight, do not mess around.

Had mine done at Thamasat University medical hospital.

Each eye cost 36000 baht.

No problem. Great service and the doctor speaks English.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by camper star

15 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Prices vary widely depending on (1) Government vs private hospital and (2) type of lens implanted.

Least expensive option is government hospital with standard lens. These work fine for vision except reading, most people will still need reading glasses.

In a government hospital with standard lens, one eye will be 20-30K inclusive of preop and post op checks unless it is one of the government hospitals which have a surcharge for foreigners in which case more. At a private hospital with standard lens, 80 - 100k for one eye. At all hospitals, other than standard lens (progressive lens etc) will substantially increase cost.

Where in Thailand are you?

Do government hospitals offer lenses with astigmatism correction?

I shopped around a bit 2 years ago. The provincial hospital in Lopburi charged 20k per eye for monofocal lenses. The government hospital in Rayong, as well as the military hospital in Sattahip wanted almost double that amount (farang price)

I ended up having it done in Vietnam, where private hospitals are as cheap as, or even cheaper than government hospitals in Thailand.

2 hours ago, Golden Brown said:

I also reside in Chiang Rai and am attending Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok (Asoke area) for a check up late August, 2026. There [rice is on the high side, approximately Bt80,000 per eye. If surgery required, I intend going for the long vision lens and will arrange a date for one eye to be done early December and the other eye early February, 2027. Rutnin Hospital specialise in eye surgery and was recommended by a friend.

I can highly recommend Rutnin Eye Hospital. My wife had both cataracts done there last year - first eye late July, second eye 2nd week of September. Dr. Piyada was her surgeon and was outstanding as was the overall hospital and staff. As a wearer of multi focal contact lenses for many years my wife chose the PanOptix trifocal lens. She says she now has the best eyesight she has ever had at far, mid and close range. She has had no issues at all with the halos and starbursts that can occur with this type of lens. Cost ฿180,000 per eye. Monofocal lens was quoted at ฿90,000 per eye. Luckily, her insurer covered most of the cost despite saying they would only pay for a mono focal lens.

3 hours ago, TopThai1964 said:

I did both eyes at the Government Hospital Banphaeo near Bangkok ! Fantastic modern eye clinic ! I paid 30'000 for both eyes ! My friends paid

90'000-120'000 for the same operation in Private Hospitals ! Take your pick !

I would support that 100%.

I had mine done in 2019 and 38K all in for both eyes, but paid 5K extra each eye for the CEO to do the job. It was the Sunday clinic that had been recommened to my wife.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Do government hospitals offer lenses with astigmatism correction?

Ban Phaeo certainly does. When I was being measures up for the lenses I asked about astigmatism. The clinician looked at my scans and said it wasn't very bad and didn't think the specific lens would be required. He said the normal lens will probably correct it, and he was right. Can't remember what price it would have been, only the variofocal, about 3 times the price of normal lens.

When I say "normal", I was offered 3 x normal, 6K, 9K and 13K, went for the latter.

You will see some recommendations for Rutnin eye hospital bangkok.
I had my cataracts done there. Extremely well recommended but Its expensive, my insurance covered. They also have done other difficult procedures on my eyes , very well and successful.

With no insurance to pay, its likely you may want to look at the cheaper options.

Look for an experienced specialist and any recommendations.
One of my friends here in Hua hin had the procedures locally recently and is having some problem with one eye. The specialist he used is not interested to do something.
When you get the cataracts done, consider what level of sight you want and whether progressive lenses may be worth the extra.
My specialist was one of the top doctors told me that i was too old to get much benefit from progressive lenses. I was 66 yo then.
He cautioned the problem many people get with reading close up as we get older.
He said that many people only think of long sight for the replacement lenses.
He recommended at my age getting lenses set at a near / reading distance, so i can see my telephone well, read well and use my laptop well. I can see tv ok in home.
I use glasses for long sight.
I find the shorter focal length convenient for majority of daytime activities.

Also FYI, be aware that after cataract surgery some people get problems with vision a year or two later as the sack holding the lenses becomes clouded.
This happened to me with one eye after a year or two then the other eye a year later.
The answer was to cut a small hole in the sack by laser to remove the section blocking the focus area and the vision was cleared again. The Rutnin specialist did this each time by laser in a few minutes with some eye drops. Cost about 7000 Baht each time. Vision was cleared straight away after the drops wore off. No problems since the last four / five years.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by jojothai

On 7/30/2026 at 3:35 AM, BKKBike09 said:

If your vision has got much worse in a short space of time it's a good idea to have a general eye check done to make sure it's the cataracts, not something else.

I can't speak to cost in Thailand. I recently had both eyes done, but paid to go private (in UK). It's worked out well - not perfect, but good enough that I passed Class 2 aviation medical with no limitations on vision. Before the surgery my vision had gone below the standards in one eye thanks to cataracts.

You don't say whether your eyes are 'normal' or not: by which I mean are you short-sighted, do you have astigmatism, have you had any previous surgery (Lasik) etc? All factors that can make cataract surgery a little more complicated and the results harder to predict.

Good luck!

Also get checked for macular degeneration before surgery as you may need that treated first. It's not so simple as some think. Better be safe than sorry with your eyes.