Good Experience @ Rutnin

[phetaroi]

There have been a number of posts on the forum about where to go for a good eye exam. I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital today with no appointment. Very efficient. I was seen in about 20 minutes. Each step was professional and comparable to what I have always had in the States. I had opted to see a doctor. The only bad thing -- the very beginnings of cataracts...probably requiring the typical surgery in about 4 years. I was amazed at the price -- 710 baht. No pressure or even a suggestion to buy new glasses, in fact, just the opposite.

Ah...getting old! First prostate, now this. Ugh!

[taxout]

Yes, remarkably good service at Rutnin. Something of an assembly-line, but thorough.

If you show up without an appointment when they're busy, though, you might have to wait a bit for your turn. If you've made an appointment you'll get served first.

[bojo]

There have been a number of posts on the forum about where to go for a good eye exam. I went to Rutnin Eye Hospital today with no appointment. Very efficient. I was seen in about 20 minutes. Each step was professional and comparable to what I have always had in the States. I had opted to see a doctor. The only bad thing -- the very beginnings of cataracts...probably requiring the typical surgery in about 4 years. I was amazed at the price -- 710 baht. No pressure or even a suggestion to buy new glasses, in fact, just the opposite.

Ah...getting old! First prostate, now this. Ugh!

We also had a very good expeience at Rutnin. We took our daughter there for check up and the service was fantastic. We didn't have an appointment and had to return in the afternoon to see the child specialist. Highly recommended in my view.

Cost minimal, around 5/600b, I was expecting the worst but pleasantly surprised. had been used to expensive hospitals in Koh Samui previously.

Regards Bojo

[ericg1953]

Same here...I am currently being treated at Rutnin for glaucoma and the initial examination as well as the Dr. who is taking care of the problem have been really good. I am very comfortable there and will always recommend it.

[xenophon]

Although I don't wish a visit to Rutnin Eye Hospital on anyone, they never fail to impress me on my occasional check ups. Completely superior to similar hospitals and doctors I have used in my so called advanced home country. Saw the surgeon about an op on Thursday - perfect English and very full explanation. Found three little warts and said he would zap them as part of the bigger op - not with laser as that is unsafe which was news to me. Said that, as there is burning with a laser and as warts can be viral, material could float around and get into people's lungs. Booked operation for the next day (last Friday). Amazing pre-op procedure ... put into what reminded me of very comfortable lounge in private booths ... adjustable chair like airline 1st class... soothing quiet Thai music ... nurse creeping up on me every 10 mins with antibiotic eye drops which she squirted from about 4 inches away ... I had arrived about 3:30 pm and the op was at 5:00 .. a long time, but that's what they wanted. Then, guess what, a lady arrives with creams and a hot water bowl and proceeds to give me a 30 minute foot and leg massage, including lots of pressing spots on the sole of the foot as in shiatsu.The rather long wait was pretty pleasant. As I said ... impressive. After that, off to the operating theatre ... went through various changes of clothes and footwear as we entered different rooms (although I noticed the nurses were running around barefoot but not in the theatre). Atmosphere in the operating theatre was very different .. like a sterilised auto work shop with '80s music playing. There were a couple of medical students hanging around who put patches on my eyes which fell off in about five minutes. They had that air of completely indifferent incompetence that Thai males sometimes exude. Luckily, they didn't do anything more dangerous than push the trolley around. I was relieved when they disappeared to the next trolley to observe the surgeon doing an injection. Along came the surgeon who fully explained what they would do. I confirmed that he would be doing it, and not the lethargic students. Operation was interesting. I was relieved to see a very competent and focused looking female nurse take up position next to the surgeon. Hopefully, the students had gone off to have something to eat. I was a bit worried about being on the other end of a scalpel wielded by them. Surgeon kept saying sorry every time I showed any pain reaction to needles and slashes .. that's a first. With eyes closed throughout and cold steel all over your face, plus objects like pads being dropped or placed on your body, having your nose used as leverage for cutting, 80s music playing, conversation in English and Thai and trying not to bump the instrument table touching your chest, there was a lot to think about. Came out looking a bit punched up but not too bad. Then, a 45 minute wait for the cashier and the pharmacy nurse. This is traditional at Rutnin .. services are super efficient except for the cashier and pharmacy. All cost less than $600. Caught a motorcycle home with a massive eyepatch on. Lots and lots of traffic so he had to go slowly. Came home and proceeded to knock over various items which were either blocked by the eyepatch or required depth perception. Telling those who ask that I was attacked by a katoey.

[bubba]

I have nothing but praise for Rutnin, and they likely saved the eyesight in one of my eyes. Seems I developed a detached retina one day, which I recognised from the symptoms. As you might know, a detached retina requires urgent treatment, so I got myself to Bumrungrad straight away. Long story short, I was in surgery the next day for what should have been a fairly easy fix due to the relatively small degree of detachment that I had. After a healing period of a week, and a follow-up exam, it seemed that the procedure was unsuccessful. The retina was still detached, and that was for a procedure that generally has a success rate of around 80-90% for the degree and type of detachment I had. The surgery with one night in-patient cost around 150,000 baht, which was about 20,000 baht more than the estimate I was provided before the surgery. Why the additional cost over the estimate? "It took longer than the doctor anticipated". Lucky I had insurance. But unlucky the procedure was apparently not done correctly.

So the Bumrungrad ophthalmologist told me I needed more surgery and within a week. Great, but I was beginning to lose some confidence. But first, he wanted to do some laser repair of that very same eye, and he informed me that this would not be a complete repair and surgery would still be necessary. I thought to myself "now if I have to have more surgery done, and soon, why am I having laser repair done beforehand"? Oh, and this sort of laser repair, at least in my case, was far more than just "uncomfortable". It was sufficiently painful that it was all I could do to remain in my seat and endure the pain with each flash of the laser into my eye. And there were lots of flashes. I began to get the distinct impression that I was being subjected to "cash flow medicine".

Enough, I thought. I headed to Rutnin, where I was examined by what turned out to be a very competent retinal surgeon. Yes, the retina was still detached, and yes I needed another surgery. But I heard him say in perfect English as he was doing the initial examination: "I would never, ever do anything with a laser in an eye in this condition". I was later told by my surgeon that any necessary "laser tacking" would be done during the procedure, towards the end of the surgery, if required, but there was absolutely no reason to do it before the surgery.

So, I had the surgery, in-patient, general anaethesia. I was completely impressed with the competence and professionality that I encountered at ever step of the procedure. Even the in-patient rooms were good...sort of like a service apartment studio. Food was great too, and you could order whatever you wanted from a restaurant menu. And the cost? The surgery at Rutnin was approximately the same length and type of surgery at Bumrungrad, one night stay, etc. Rutnin's bill was about 80,000 baht. Bumrungrad's was 150,000 baht.

Should you find yourself in need of an excellent retinal surgeon (let's hope you don't!), send me a PM and I'll be happy to provide you with some recommendations.

[lopburi3]

I was just at Rutnin today for annual visual field test. First test in 2006 was 670 baht. Next three were 650 baht each. Today was 600 baht.

[xenophon]

I too initially made the mistake of going to Bumrungrad. The opthalmologist was bloody hopeless. Told me that I would recover in 3 weeks (4 years ago) and then was angry with me when I didn't. He obviously did not have a clue. (I now use him for driving licence tests, because I know he is useless)

Went to Rutnin and saw the corneal specialist who explained patiently in perfect English and in detail that three factors were contributing to the condition and how they interacted. I have a chronic eye condition and go to Rutnin every month or so mainly to monitor the medication and consequently am able to read, see, etc with their ongoing treatment.

(BTW, I went to the main eye hospital in my home country and am insured at a very high level. Was treated like cattle for an afternoon being put in one pen after another. The doc removed the Rutnin drops and said they were dangerous - 15% chance of blindness. After ten days without the drops it was like looking through a bottle of oil. Returned to Rutnin and was informed by the doctor that a patient should never be taken off those drops in one fell swoop - can induce blindness - has to be gradual. Interestingly, she explained the stats regarding the danger of the medication. 15% of the population have a negative reaction NOT that each has a 15% chance of problems. Pretty basic stats!! As I have been taking the drops for 4 years, it is unlikely that I am part of that 15%. But Rutnin check every month. They are fantastic.)

[Tod Daniels]

I can only say the Lasix I had at Rutnin was superior to any other medical treatment I've had at the various hospitals; Bumrungrad, Samitivej, BNH etc.

I had my corrective surgery for nearsightedness done 4+ years ago and my eyes are still 20/15 today. Of course being 51 years old I use 1.25 magnification for my reading glasses, but I knew going into the corrective surgery that I would need it.

I can't say enough good about them, their staff, their equipment their ability to communicate effectively in english and their professionalism. Add in the great follow up care and they are a winner with anything eye related.

When I had my surgery done I got a year's free 'follow-up tweaking' in case my eyes changed back to being nearsighted, and about 6 months after the surgery one eye did change back a little and they zapped it back into shape.

[tutsiwarrior]

I brought my thai MiL to Rutnin with a chronic eye problem; she had a red smear/membrane across one of her eyes that impaired her vision as well as being unsightly...they operated requiring general anesthetic...

the initial results were OK then the thing came creeping back...the staff there have followed up and have now acknowledged that further treatment will be required...

pretty good service I would say and they make the MiL feel comfortable...she's a country woman and is not comfortable around doctors and hospitals...

looks like she may haveta take better care of her eyes as she still works out in the sun all day but she's slowed down a bit...but Rutnin are not discharging her (own their own accord) until they can figure out her prognosis which is commendable...