Eye Surgery

[Tywais]

The only post cataract laser treatment i am aware of is for a condition when the capsule behind the artificial lens becomes opaque and a YAG laser machine is used to remove the capsule.

You are right now that I think about it and is what the doctor explained to me. Sorry, my comment on secondary cataracts was wrong and was a previous assumption I made when it first started showing up after the op. The above procedure is what he performed.

[Humphrey Bear]

Against my better judgement, but really having little choice, I went to the Eye Centre at Bangkok Pattaya today, as I am seeing things floating in front of my left eye.

It is early days, but I have to say I was very impressed with the whole experience, from the nurses, to the state of the art equipment and mainly to the specialist, who spoke perfect Englsih, was extremely caring, and spent a lot of time doing various tests and checking my eye.

The charges were extremely reasonable, considering the time and attention given to my problem(s) (I have glaucoma which he also checked)

I will see what happens on my follow up visit next week.

It is possible that they have my records 'flagged', as I have been a very voluble 'trouble maker' in the past

Mobi - the Eye Centre at BPH is xery professional and I would have had the treatment there a year ago, except that for the two jours I was in there with the preliminary examination the proposed cost went up from 45l to 75k. (And the fact that I lost my passport, was runnung all over Pattaya and Bangkok and just didn't have the time before I was due back to work) The reason for the addition was partly a proposal from the doctor for a general anaesthetic rather than a local, bur also some woman from the office who told the doctor and nurse that the rates they quoted were wrong (in fromt of me)

As it turned out the Pattaya Eye Centre quoted slightly less, used far more patient-friendly equipment on the initial examination and recommenfef against any thought of general anaesthetic.

As I have said earlier, I expected a 15 minutr operation and went upstairs at 3.30, coming back down at 5.10, with no recovery time other than the nurse wiping off amy residue on my face and ears. Out of the door five minutes later - in to Carrefour for some shopping that my wife needed.

But I am thouroughly satisfied with the result - I can see better now than I have for thwe past thirty years - quite literally.

I will be back in February for the other eye and then will be trying to get back on to the Army sniper squad - although I will then be 72.

The only annoyance is the constant taking of eye drops - seemingly for the next month or more.

[thaibeachlovers]

Well, back at work and asked the surgeon re floaters. Yes, they can be caused by cataract surgery, furthermore they can be precursers to a retinal detachment as a post op complication. So, while the floaters in themselves may not be serious, if you also get flashing lights, a "curtain" effect or any serious visual disturbance post op, get it checked out ASAP.

Of course, if after the op you straight away see floaters, it might just be that you already had them, but didn't see them due to the cataract!

[jmac]

Well as I posted earlier, I went and had cataract surgery at Pattaya Eye Center. It did not go very well. First the good; well equipped office, very clean, staff seems very well trained. No pain at all and very little discomfort.

Now the bad; I had discussed with the doc about corrective lens and using different lens in each eye to eliminate the need for reading glasses. I told I did not want any of that and would be happy to continue wearing reading glasses and needed distance vision the most. I thought we both agreed. After the surgery I mentioned I thought everything was blurry through that eye and he replied of course the new lens is just for reading. He acknowledged we had agreed differently but he thought it would be better for me to do it his way. It did not work. Almost a week later and the vision in that eye is getting worse. I went to see him and he claimed everything is fine. I asked why I still have poor vision, he offered explaination. So it is off to get a 2nd opinion. I hope to be able to wear glasses to correct this condition (the wrong implants). He did indicate it would possible. Right now both far and near vision from that eye is the same as before the surgery and getting worse. I was told I had a 60% loss due to the cataract. Good luck in whatever you do.

[Guderian]

Is this Dr. Nattawat the same one who used to work at BPH?

He did cataract surgery on both my eyes back in 2005. It was about 50K Baht/eye. I noticed that his name had disappeared a few years back from the BPH doctor listing, and had wondered what happened to him.

If it is the same guy, he's a good surgeon, knows his stuff.

[Humphrey Bear]

Well as I posted earlier, I went and had cataract surgery at Pattaya Eye Center. It did not go very well. First the good; well equipped office, very clean, staff seems very well trained. No pain at all and very little discomfort.

Now the bad; I had discussed with the doc about corrective lens and using different lens in each eye to eliminate the need for reading glasses. I told I did not want any of that and would be happy to continue wearing reading glasses and needed distance vision the most. I thought we both agreed. After the surgery I mentioned I thought everything was blurry through that eye and he replied of course the new lens is just for reading. He acknowledged we had agreed differently but he thought it would be better for me to do it his way. It did not work. Almost a week later and the vision in that eye is getting worse. I went to see him and he claimed everything is fine. I asked why I still have poor vision, he offered explaination. So it is off to get a 2nd opinion. I hope to be able to wear glasses to correct this condition (the wrong implants). He did indicate it would possible. Right now both far and near vision from that eye is the same as before the surgery and getting worse. I was told I had a 60% loss due to the cataract. Good luck in whatever you do.

That's the trouble with surgeons - very dominant personalities, even when as well-mannered as Dr Nattawat.

He wanted to do both my eyes at the same time, I said no. Went for the surgery and he still expected to do both, so I told him - just the one, I've only brought the money for one. So I got what I wanted. Still very satisfied. Will have the other eye done in February.

He used to work at BPH - I think he still does one or two days a week at one of the hospitals.

[jmac]

My advice is if you have to use him, get everything in writing before the day of surgery and going over it with just before surgery. As for me, time for a new doctor as I have lost all trust in him.

I believe in the US, it is considered unethical to do both eyes at once. Risk of infection too high (can spread from one eye to the other, then both eyes at risk)

[pattaya_girl]

The last time i wrote on this forum about my eyes was to say that i had recently undergone LASIK eye laser treatment at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital - two months after the LASIK, my eyes were great, apart from being extremely dry and having to use artificial tears, i could see my telephone and computor screen without glasses. Six months later, my eyes are absolutely terrible, nearly back to how they were before, and 61 Thousand Baht lighter. Quite dissapointing for me. The specialist has asked me to go for another check in a couple of months as he agreed that they are not very good. I dont know yet what the next step will be, but I really dont want to wear glasses.

Edited December 5, 2008 by pattaya_girl

[retiredusn]

Just got my right eye lense replaced at the Chanthaburi Bangkok group hospital for 30k and and I never realized the colors and clarity I have been missing. Plan on getting the left eye done in 90 days and can not wait, first time I have shaved without my glasses for years,

[Guderian]

He used to work at BPH - I think he still does one or two days a week at one of the hospitals.

I happened to be in the area this afternoon and saw his picture on the big advertising billboard at the entrance to Pattaya Klang Plaza. That's him all right. He definitely knows his stuff.

I'm both interested and surprised to hear that he is now pushing people to have both eyes done at once - how do you manage, as you will be almost completely blind for about 12 hours after the operation? It was bad enough with just one eye working the evening after the operation. He never suggested that option back in 2005, nor in hindsight would I recommend it. Too many things can go wrong - cataract surgery, although routine, is still classed as major surgery, remember.

Has anyone else come across this effect from cataract surgery? For many years I had had elevated eye pressure of 26 or 27. This was of course suspected to be due to glaucoma by the opticians in the UK, but specialist eye tests showed that it probably wasn't. Anyway, since the cataract surgery, I go back every 12 months to BPH for a check-up, and the pressure is now always around 15 or 16 - normal. As far as I can see, the elevated eye pressure was cured by the surgery, although I have reasons to believe that it wasn't caused by the cataracts. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[jmac]

To give an update on my experiences with Pattaya Eye Center. A month after cataract surgery and I still have poor vision in the affected eye. The doc agreed to make glasses to correct for the wrong lens used. We discussed it and I explained I did not want or need bifocals, just wanted my distance vision back. I could cope with reading. I went to pick them up a week later and of course they were bifocals. He claimed I needed them. I refused to accept them and he reluctantly agreed to make them the way I had requested. He was also eager to operate on my other eye. I refused to consider that until I could see ok in the 1st eye. Our relationship then turned very icy, When I picked up the remade glasses he refused to see me. I have been concerned all along about this doc's policy of removing all labels from the medication he gives out. I had no idea what I was taking. I had asked him several times for the names and he refused, but claimed it was very expensive and charged accordingly. Today I went to Pattaya International for a 2nd opinion. I do have complications from from the surgery and when he checked the other eye he said I could most likely wait 1 to 2 years before needing surgery. PIH gave me more meds in a labeled pkg and charged 1/5 of Pattaya center. I believe Dr Nattawat is in need of funds to pay for that well equipped office. Get a second opinion!

[thaibeachlovers]

Well as I posted earlier, I went and had cataract surgery at Pattaya Eye Center. It did not go very well. First the good; well equipped office, very clean, staff seems very well trained. No pain at all and very little discomfort.

Now the bad; I had discussed with the doc about corrective lens and using different lens in each eye to eliminate the need for reading glasses. I told I did not want any of that and would be happy to continue wearing reading glasses and needed distance vision the most. I thought we both agreed. After the surgery I mentioned I thought everything was blurry through that eye and he replied of course the new lens is just for reading. He acknowledged we had agreed differently but he thought it would be better for me to do it his way. It did not work. Almost a week later and the vision in that eye is getting worse. I went to see him and he claimed everything is fine. I asked why I still have poor vision, he offered explaination. So it is off to get a 2nd opinion. I hope to be able to wear glasses to correct this condition (the wrong implants). He did indicate it would possible. Right now both far and near vision from that eye is the same as before the surgery and getting worse. I was told I had a 60% loss due to the cataract. Good luck in whatever you do.

I asked a consultant about having different lenses, and she said that is an accepted procedure. I shall ask again ( if I remember ) after normal service resumes next year re your situation. However, I would assume it will take time for the brain to accomodate to the difference. Your brain has been working with 2 equal lenses all your life, and is now struggling to accept the difference. It does sound bad that the Dr is deciding to do different things to what you agreed. Best solution, as someone else said, is to put everything in writing before the operation.

I don't understand what you mean by 60% loss of vision due to cataract. If you have had the lens replaced, there should be no loss of vision due to lens opacity.

[thaibeachlovers]

To give an update on my experiences with Pattaya Eye Center. A month after cataract surgery and I still have poor vision in the affected eye. The doc agreed to make glasses to correct for the wrong lens used. We discussed it and I explained I did not want or need bifocals, just wanted my distance vision back. I could cope with reading. I went to pick them up a week later and of course they were bifocals. He claimed I needed them. I refused to accept them and he reluctantly agreed to make them the way I had requested. He was also eager to operate on my other eye. I refused to consider that until I could see ok in the 1st eye. Our relationship then turned very icy, When I picked up the remade glasses he refused to see me. I have been concerned all along about this doc's policy of removing all labels from the medication he gives out. I had no idea what I was taking. I had asked him several times for the names and he refused, but claimed it was very expensive and charged accordingly. Today I went to Pattaya International for a 2nd opinion. I do have complications from from the surgery and when he checked the other eye he said I could most likely wait 1 to 2 years before needing surgery. PIH gave me more meds in a labeled pkg and charged 1/5 of Pattaya center. I believe Dr Nattawat is in need of funds to pay for that well equipped office. Get a second opinion!

Goodness. Never take un named drugs. Sounds like you need a new Dr!

[thaibeachlovers]

He used to work at BPH - I think he still does one or two days a week at one of the hospitals.

I happened to be in the area this afternoon and saw his picture on the big advertising billboard at the entrance to Pattaya Klang Plaza. That's him all right. He definitely knows his stuff.

I'm both interested and surprised to hear that he is now pushing people to have both eyes done at once - how do you manage, as you will be almost completely blind for about 12 hours after the operation? It was bad enough with just one eye working the evening after the operation. He never suggested that option back in 2005, nor in hindsight would I recommend it. Too many things can go wrong - cataract surgery, although routine, is still classed as major surgery, remember.

Has anyone else come across this effect from cataract surgery? For many years I had had elevated eye pressure of 26 or 27. This was of course suspected to be due to glaucoma by the opticians in the UK, but specialist eye tests showed that it probably wasn't. Anyway, since the cataract surgery, I go back every 12 months to BPH for a check-up, and the pressure is now always around 15 or 16 - normal. As far as I can see, the elevated eye pressure was cured by the surgery, although I have reasons to believe that it wasn't caused by the cataracts. Has anyone had a similar experience?

There is no way a cataract operation can cure glaucoma ( elevated eye pressure ), neither do cataracts cause glaucoma. However, if the special thick fluid used during a cataract operation is not removed properly after the lens is repleced, it can CAUSE glaucoma.

So if the operation did indeed correct the pressure, you didn't have glaucoma. Did they put you on special eye drops after the operation? If so, do you still take them and what are they?

[Guderian]

He used to work at BPH - I think he still does one or two days a week at one of the hospitals.

I happened to be in the area this afternoon and saw his picture on the big advertising billboard at the entrance to Pattaya Klang Plaza. That's him all right. He definitely knows his stuff.

I'm both interested and surprised to hear that he is now pushing people to have both eyes done at once - how do you manage, as you will be almost completely blind for about 12 hours after the operation? It was bad enough with just one eye working the evening after the operation. He never suggested that option back in 2005, nor in hindsight would I recommend it. Too many things can go wrong - cataract surgery, although routine, is still classed as major surgery, remember.

Has anyone else come across this effect from cataract surgery? For many years I had had elevated eye pressure of 26 or 27. This was of course suspected to be due to glaucoma by the opticians in the UK, but specialist eye tests showed that it probably wasn't. Anyway, since the cataract surgery, I go back every 12 months to BPH for a check-up, and the pressure is now always around 15 or 16 - normal. As far as I can see, the elevated eye pressure was cured by the surgery, although I have reasons to believe that it wasn't caused by the cataracts. Has anyone had a similar experience?

There is no way a cataract operation can cure glaucoma ( elevated eye pressure ), neither do cataracts cause glaucoma. However, if the special thick fluid used during a cataract operation is not removed properly after the lens is repleced, it can CAUSE glaucoma.

So if the operation did indeed correct the pressure, you didn't have glaucoma. Did they put you on special eye drops after the operation? If so, do you still take them and what are they?

No eye drops, or any other medication for that matter.

After the first eye was operated on, the pressure the next day was normal. The day after the second eye was operated on, the pressure was way too high 30+. He said this often happened, and it was easily fixed by simply sticking a small needle into my eye and bleeding off some excess fluid. This was a surprisingly painless procedure, and it certainly sorted out the pressure. What has surprised me is that without any further treatment and no medications, several decades of elevated eye pressures has been fixed by the cataract operations.

As I said in my post, I have reasons to believe that the pressure was not related to the cataracts, but nonetheless the cataract surgery did somehow fix the problem - there was nothing else that could have done it. I was just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience after cataract surgery?

I saw several specialists in the UK over the years, and they all said that it was not glaucoma, although there were some minor irregularities with the optic nerves and so I had to be careful that glaucoma didn't develop. Nobody has ever told me, in the UK or Thailand, what it was that was causing the elevated pressure and how it was fixed by the operations.

[Humphrey Bear]

I saw several specialists in the UK over the years, and they all said that it was not glaucoma, although there were some minor irregularities with the optic nerves and so I had to be careful that glaucoma didn't develop. Nobody has ever told me, in the UK or Thailand, what it was that was causing the elevated pressure and how it was fixed by the operations.

As a specialist - although I cannot divulge my speciality - I would suggest that the bulging-eye syndrome is a result of spending too many evenings in Happy A-Go-Go.

The cure - sticking a pin in the eye - shows that the problem was not severem as the eye would have gone off 'POP' in a really serious case.

The ormal way of maintaining steady eye pressure under these circumstances is to tell the missus once a week where you have been. A quick poke in the eye reduces the swelling in the eye, but increases the swelling around the eye.

(By the way - Dr Nattarat gave me eye drops - Flavex and something else - and told me to take them until the bottles were finished. I still use them now - six weeks after the op).

I will be having the other eye done in February, I am very pleased with the result.

[thaibeachlovers]

Well as I posted earlier, I went and had cataract surgery at Pattaya Eye Center. It did not go very well. First the good; well equipped office, very clean, staff seems very well trained. No pain at all and very little discomfort.

Now the bad; I had discussed with the doc about corrective lens and using different lens in each eye to eliminate the need for reading glasses. I told I did not want any of that and would be happy to continue wearing reading glasses and needed distance vision the most. I thought we both agreed. After the surgery I mentioned I thought everything was blurry through that eye and he replied of course the new lens is just for reading. He acknowledged we had agreed differently but he thought it would be better for me to do it his way. It did not work. Almost a week later and the vision in that eye is getting worse. I went to see him and he claimed everything is fine. I asked why I still have poor vision, he offered explaination. So it is off to get a 2nd opinion. I hope to be able to wear glasses to correct this condition (the wrong implants). He did indicate it would possible. Right now both far and near vision from that eye is the same as before the surgery and getting worse. I was told I had a 60% loss due to the cataract. Good luck in whatever you do.

I asked a consultant about having different lenses, and she said that is an accepted procedure. I shall ask again ( if I remember ) after normal service resumes next year re your situation. However, I would assume it will take time for the brain to accomodate to the difference. Your brain has been working with 2 equal lenses all your life, and is now struggling to accept the difference. It does sound bad that the Dr is deciding to do different things to what you agreed. Best solution, as someone else said, is to put everything in writing before the operation.

I don't understand what you mean by 60% loss of vision due to cataract. If you have had the lens replaced, there should be no loss of vision due to lens opacity.

I did remember to speak with the consultant, and she says it can take up to 1 year to adjust. So hang in there!