Laser Eye Surgery.

[Robski]

I'm considering laser eye surgery to correct my vision so I can get rid of my glasses, but the cost in the UK is prohibitive.

The offers look great value on the surface, but as you can see from the extract below there is more to the cost than meets the eye.

I would presume that the cost for similar treatment in Thailand would be lower. Does anyone have any recomendations before I start checking the BKK pages?

Does it work?

Yes, for most people. It can correct short-sight (to -10 dioptres), long-sight (to +6.0 dioptres) and up to four cylinders of astigmatism. A review of 313,154 eyes by the government health watchdog Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) in 2005 concluded that 90% of patients come to within one dioptre of perfect sight. Bad outcomes are unusual.

Somewhat confusingly, there are different types of Lasik. Conventional Lasik uses a very sharp and precise mechanical blade called a keratome to cut the initial flap. IntraLase Lasik uses a laser to make the flap. Lasik with "wavefront" technology uses sophisticated software to map the eye very precisely before surgery.

And the cost?

There are two pricing models on the high street: charging by procedure or by prescription. If you are charged by procedure, you pay a flat rate. For example, Ultralase, one of the biggest clinic chains, charges £995 an eye for basic Lasik, rising to £1,795 an eye for wavefront IntraLase.

Under the prescription model, the worse your eyesight, the more the surgery will cost. For example, while Optical Express's attention-grabbing price of from £395 an eye is attractive, it is not available to those with medium or strong prescriptions.

A survey of 80 of the 95 clinics in Britain in the current issue of Optician magazine says that the average cost of standard Lasik is £925 an eye. Wavefront and IntraLase treatments add another £200-£300 each to the bill.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2006/nov/2...oneysupplement1

reason for edit;

I just read Sheryl's recommenadation for Thai Refractive Surgery Center in another thread on the same theme.

I've checked out their website, but there are no prices, what did you pay?

If anyone else has any experience or recommendations please let me know.

Edited June 30, 2008 by Robski

[kat]

My friend got it done in Bumrungrad about 6 or 7 years ago. He's happy with the results and has not had problems since.

[eek]

I went to TRSC: http://www.lasikthai.com/ more than a year ago now. Apparently its the best place to go. VERY happy as I had astigmatism and VERY bad short sight since 9 years old. No more contacts and specs, my vision is great. Still feels like a miracle.

Check out this thread Robski, as someone asked on the forum a while back about the same thing: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Lasik-Eye-Vi...on-t117187.html

Good luck.

[Robski]

Thanks eek, after years of thinking about it I've decided to go for it. I'm a fairly active person and I just find glasses too much of a hinderance.

I've received replies to my enquiries from TRSC and from Bangkok Hospital Medical Centre.

The prices for both are very good, but judging on the information given, the level of care offered and the presentation it would seem that TRSC are the best option.

Here is a brief summary for anyone interested.

Mr.Kumchondej DJ

International Patient Counseling Manager

TRSC International LASIK Center

www.lasikthai.com Tel: 662-733-2020, 66-81-174-1812 ( Cell )

The price of LASIK surgery at TRSC ranges from THB 66,000 to THB 79,500 for both eyes depending on the technology employed. For more details, please see our price list attached.

If you are not a Bangkok resident, we recommend approximately 5-7 days in Bangkok in order to complete the initial eye examination, the LASIK surgery, and both the required 1-day and 1-week follow-up exams. The 1-week follow-up can be from 5-10 days after surgery. The rest of the routine check-ups can be completed with an ophthalmologist in your home country. Patients will be required to pay the fees for any exams performed outside of TRSC.

At TRSC, we have three levels of advanced treatment: (Kindly see the attached file for detailed explanation)

1. Premium LASIK (non-wavefront) – Bausch and Lomb Technolas 217z

2. Optimum LASIK (using optimization) – Carl Zeiss MEL 80

3. Ultimate LASIK (using wavefront + optimization) – Carl Zeiss MEL 80 and 250 Wavefront system

TRSC's Ultimate LASIK is currently the most advanced LASIK treatment available. As each person is unique, there are many factors that must be considered and in some cases Premium or Optimum LASIK can provide the same or even better results. Each person must be considered on an individual basis after all possible measurements have been taken. The LASIK surgery specialist will therefore be the best source to recommend what level of LASIK care is preferred for you, which can be determined after the complete preoperative eye exam.

Premium LASIK 66,000 Optimum LASIK 73,000 Ultimate LASIK 79,500

********************************************************************************

******************************************************

Dr. Nguyen Viet Hung

Medical Correspondence, Physician

Bangkok Referral Center

Tel. 66 2 - 7551362-3

Fax. 66 2 - 7551364

Email: [email protected]

- Custom Vue Lasik-----------70,000 THB/Both eyes

37,000 THB / 1 eye

- Standard Lasik---------------57,000 THB /Both eyes

30,000 THB / 1 eye

These are the operation fee ,medicine during 1 week ,follow up fee 1 time after the operation are included.

**(The Custom Vue Laser is more elaborate than the standard and decrease the side effect of Lasik surgery such as glare,halo .The, Custom Vue Laser is improve the night vision and will correct the cornea smoothly.The side effect of the Lasik surgery such as glare halo just happen with somebody. It is depend on pupil , cornea shape that will be shown in the eye examination )

Now.. what to do when you're holed up in a Bangkok hotel room for 5 days with no booze and no vision..?

I think that could be a new thread.

Edited July 1, 2008 by Robski

[eek]

Now.. what to do when you're holed up in a Bangkok hotel room for 5 days with no booze and no vision..?

I think that could be a new thread.

Robski, the eye protectors are removed at the clinic the next day. Its only for one night that you need to wear them.

Anyway..best of luck!

[jimmi]

Rodski,

Thanks for posting the info. I am VERY interested in this. Please keep us updated if you get this procedure done. I would also be interested in your impression after you have the first eye exam. Please keep us updated! Again thanks.

[Meg_2003]

My mother had this done not long ago.. It was 60,000 baht in Bangkok Pattaya Hospital..

The main problem with her eyes was she couldn't see her phone, computer screen, menu's ect but long sight was OK. Now, a month after she had her surgery, She can read her computer screen, however has to use a magnifying glass to see her phone or read a book with small writing..

Wouldn't recommend it if you are having problems with only short sight....Maybe consider Lens implants instead.. Ive heard it is around 200,000 baht, though.