Cataract Surgury

[mhortig]

I am considering having a procedure to correct a cataract problem. This was reccomended by Dr. Kessara at Chiangmai Ram hospital. The procedure is called Phacoemulsification and Intraocular lens. I was told the cost woul be between 35,000 and 40,000 per eye.

1. Can anyone reccomend another clinic or hospital in Chiangmai that would be less costly.

2. Has anyone had this procedure done, were you happy with it?

Any other insight into getting this done would be appreciated.

[uptheos]

Is Dr Kessara the husband of Dr Rachada?

If so, an elderly lady friend had both eyes (cataracts) done by him and the cost was in fact 84,000 Baht.

I know this is above the price you are looking for, but to quote my friend; "it was like looking at a new world, with clear bright colours'.

I'm not sure what the exact procedure was, all I know is that she had cataracts in both eyes.

I'm not sure I would 'shop around' regarding eyes, but perhaps someone will come along with a better deal.

Good luck

[Tywais]

I had mine (both eyes) done using the technique you mention about 10 years ago but it was at Bumrungrad in Bangkok as I really didn't know/trust CM doctors at the time. The price was about the same as you were quoted. My previous post on it is here > cataracts. Another topic with details

[uptheos]

I had mine (both eyes) done using the technique you mention about 10 years ago but it was at Bumrungrad in Bangkok as I really didn't know/trust CM doctors at the time. The price was about the same as you were quoted. My previous post on it is here > cataracts. Another topic with details

Prices have skyrocketed at Bamrungrad over the last 10 years. My guess is that a person would be looking at about 80,000 up for one eye.

[jayjay0]

_{What ever you decide keep us posted. I suspect I am not the only one who some times wonders about his eyes ability.}

[Tywais]

Prices have skyrocketed at Bamrungrad over the last 10 years. My guess is that a person would be looking at about 80,000 up for one eye.

Ouch! Glad I got mine done and over with. Sounds like the price quoted by the OP is about the best he will probably find. Key to this is making sure to find a doctor with considerable experience doing this particular procedure. This has precedence over cost.

[Dr. G]

You would best be going to the eye hospital in Bangkok

RUTNIN EYE HOSPITAL

Located in central Bangkok, Rutnin Eye Hospital is easily accessible from many routes.

80/1 Sukhumvit 21 Road (Soi Asoke), Bangkok 10110, Thailand ...

www.rutnin.com/eng/html/about.html

g

[Dean1953]

I would second going to Rutnin. I had an accident with my left eye about 6 years ago that caused a cataract in that eye. Dr. Pattaramon Bunnapradist and another doctor there took turns for 90 minutes, performing laser surgery and replacing the lens. Besides fixing the cataract, my eyesight in my left eye was improved noticeably. The cost was around 50,000 baht.

[gamini]

I had mine (both eyes) done using the technique you mention about 10 years ago but it was at Bumrungrad in Bangkok as I really didn't know/trust CM doctors at the time. The price was about the same as you were quoted. My previous post on it is here > cataracts. Another topic with details

Prices have skyrocketed at Bamrungrad over the last 10 years. My guess is that a person would be looking at about 80,000 up for one eye.

Bumrungrad have now reduced thier prices and I was quoted Bt69,000 for both eyes with multifocal lense

[transam]

A lady that runs a cafe in Ubon airport told me she paid 20k at Ubon military hospital for one eye lens replacement. .

[hmficc]

FYI, in the USA it is about 100,000 per eye. More if you get a upgraded lense.

[elektrified]

I would second going to Rutnin. I had an accident with my left eye about 6 years ago that caused a cataract in that eye. Dr. Pattaramon Bunnapradist and another doctor there took turns for 90 minutes, performing laser surgery and replacing the lens. Besides fixing the cataract, my eyesight in my left eye was improved noticeably. The cost was around 50,000 baht.

Third. The most impressive business I have seen or been to ever, in Thailand. Not at all expensive for the quality of service provided.

[uptheos]

I would second going to Rutnin. I had an accident with my left eye about 6 years ago that caused a cataract in that eye. Dr. Pattaramon Bunnapradist and another doctor there took turns for 90 minutes, performing laser surgery and replacing the lens. Besides fixing the cataract, my eyesight in my left eye was improved noticeably. The cost was around 50,000 baht.

Third. The most impressive business I have seen or been to ever, in Thailand. Not at all expensive for the quality of service provided.

This soundslike the way to go.

If Bamrungrad are starting to do specials, it means either they are hurting or theyjust give you whichever doctor they choose. You will find that Bamrungrad lists prices for certain doctors and others are only by appintment, meaning they are much more qualified and much more expensive.

[transam]

I would second going to Rutnin. I had an accident with my left eye about 6 years ago that caused a cataract in that eye. Dr. Pattaramon Bunnapradist and another doctor there took turns for 90 minutes, performing laser surgery and replacing the lens. Besides fixing the cataract, my eyesight in my left eye was improved noticeably. The cost was around 50,000 baht.

Third. The most impressive business I have seen or been to ever, in Thailand. Not at all expensive for the quality of service provided.

This soundslike the way to go.

If Bamrungrad are starting to do specials, it means either they are hurting or theyjust give you whichever doctor they choose. You will find that Bamrungrad lists prices for certain doctors and others are only by appintment, meaning they are much more qualified and much more expensive.

Which is worrying for the same job.

[chiang mai]

็Many hospitals and doctors in Thailand like to push cataract surgery because it's a very lucrative business so I would urge caution in this respect. An Ophthalmologist in the UK told me ten years ago that I had a slight cataract in one eye, subsequently in Thailand the Ophthalmologists at various hospitals, in the course of annual health/eye exams, have exploited this. Most recently the head Ophthalmologist at Bangkok/Phuket Hospital tried quite hard to convince me to let him take care of the problem but his overt salesmanship put me off. I did however follow up at Bumrungrad where I was told that my cataract was still in very early stages and that treatment was unlikely to be needed for it, for many years.

[uptheos]

I would second going to Rutnin. I had an accident with my left eye about 6 years ago that caused a cataract in that eye. Dr. Pattaramon Bunnapradist and another doctor there took turns for 90 minutes, performing laser surgery and replacing the lens. Besides fixing the cataract, my eyesight in my left eye was improved noticeably. The cost was around 50,000 baht.

Third. The most impressive business I have seen or been to ever, in Thailand. Not at all expensive for the quality of service provided.

This soundslike the way to go.

If Bamrungrad are starting to do specials, it means either they are hurting or theyjust give you whichever doctor they choose. You will find that Bamrungrad lists prices for certain doctors and others are only by appintment, meaning they are much more qualified and much more expensive.

Which is worrying for the same job.

Yes, if you go to their website you can bring up a 'package' price, but you will not see certain doctors listed.

[harrry]

Lucky I got both mine done in AAustralia for free. It is true about the colours and if you are short sighted the new lens will almost solve this. I said to the nirse who sat on the bed and took the dressing off that it was the first time for years I had been able to see the girl who was on my bed with me without looking for my glasses.

[transam]

Lucky I got both mine done in Australia for free. It is true about the colours and if you are short sighted the new lens will almost solve this. I said to the nurse who sat on the bed and took the dressing off that it was the first time for years I had been able to see the girl who was on my bed with me without looking for my glasses.

Magic , nice .

[noise]

็Many hospitals and doctors in Thailand like to push cataract surgery because it's a very lucrative business so I would urge caution in this respect. ...... I did however follow up at Bumrungrad where I was told that my cataract was still in very early stages and that treatment was unlikely to be needed for it, for many years.

Chiang Mai provided very good advice. Just prior to moving to Thailand in 06, I was getting glasses through my company approved optometrist. I went to Kaiser for a complete physical and had an ophthalmologist examine my eyes. He said I had a cataract but the eye was still correctable to 20-20. I went back to the optometrist and asked him why he didn't see it. He showed me his records where he had noted it and added the comment most likely "age related degeneration, watch progression". He stated that he does not tell patients at that point because most people get scared when it frequently is just age related and may never progress to a "full catact" (insert your own definition).

So far that diagnosis seems correct for me. I know it is there, but by keeping my prescription up to date, my vision and depth perception have not suffered that I can tell.

[chiangmaibruce]

I had the procedure in one eye a few months ago. I was in Australia at the time and compared the price for a local private hospital and recommended specialist, with Rutnin Eye Hospital in BKK (we were about to head back here at the time). After allowing for all-up costs with both options (including travel to/from BKK to CNX for op and for check-up) and allowing for some Medicare rebate in Oz ... the prices were very similar, so I went with the Oz option.

What no-one has mentioned - but you must be wondering about - there was no pain associated with the procedure at all. The worst you can expect is the needle to sedate you. Even afterwards I would not even call it significant discomfort. So don't stress on that account. And the procedure also makes a huge difference to night driving!

Edited January 11, 2011 by chiangmaibruce

[hmficc]

The down side of having care in Thailand is what happens if they screw it up? Free white cane!

[Rama]

the cheapest place is CMU. You go through the main hospital to the hospital in the back. It costs 10,000 baht for both eyes. Know one person that had it done there, no problems. Another person thought they were needing it and went to several doctors - all quoted prices similar to the prices seen in the other comments. When he went to CMU they told him he had it only mildly and that cataracts take a long time to develop and he didn't need the surgery yet - none of the other doctors told him this. They made an appointment for him to come back in a year to check again.

Got there at 6 or 7 am, had to wait until 2 pm to see the doctor. Best to take a thai with you to make the initial appointment.

[mhortig]

THANKS to all for your very, very useful information.

[uptheos]

THANKS to all for your very, very useful information.

Let us know who you go with (if you do) and the results plus cost, as it's very useful to update things like this.

Best of luck.

[transam]

the cheapest place is CMU. You go through the main hospital to the hospital in the back. It costs 10,000 baht for both eyes. Know one person that had it done there, no problems. Another person thought they were needing it and went to several doctors - all quoted prices similar to the prices seen in the other comments. When he went to CMU they told him he had it only mildly and that cataracts take a long time to develop and he didn't need the surgery yet - none of the other doctors told him this. They made an appointment for him to come back in a year to check again.

Got there at 6 or 7 am, had to wait until 2 pm to see the doctor. Best to take a thai with you to make the initial appointment.

what is CMU. ?

[astral]

To he honest I am not sure I would recommend the eye surgery, unless it is really needed.

Mine was prompted by seeing a friend aged 73 without glasses and became a vanity matter.

The op is simple and virtually painless. It is great not have to wear glasses and keep them clean.

I started with reading glasses 20 years ago and ended up with varifocals, at a high cost per pair.

In that sense the op will pay for itself in a short time.

However at night I get streaking and head/tail lights have a fringe round them, which means

that I only drive at night if I absolutely have to.

However I can read really tiny print without glasses.

[Tywais]

what is CMU. ?

Guess you're not from around here. Chiang Mai University, specifically the University Medical hospital Majarej (aka Suan Dork hospital).

[transam]

what is CMU. ?

Guess you're not from around here. Chiang Mai University, specifically the University Medical hospital Majarej (aka Suan Dork hospital).

Thanks, Interested cos think something is not right in one eye. Srangely the good eye had detached retina surgery in 2002.

[uptheos]

To he honest I am not sure I would recommend the eye surgery, unless it is really needed.

Mine was prompted by seeing a friend aged 73 without glasses and became a vanity matter.

The op is simple and virtually painless. It is great not have to wear glasses and keep them clean.

I started with reading glasses 20 years ago and ended up with varifocals, at a high cost per pair.

In that sense the op will pay for itself in a short time.

However at night I get streaking and head/tail lights have a fringe round them, which means

that I only drive at night if I absolutely have to.

However I can read really tiny print without glasses.

Are you talking about cataract surgery?

You mention you had varifocals, so I'm wondering what kind of surgery you had to cure both near and far sightedness?

Cheers

[RogerD]

I am going to Australia on 3rd March 2011 to get both eyes done. The protien removal and IOL (Intra Occular Lense) implant surgery will be done on two seperate days. One eye on friday the 4th and the other one on friday the 11th. I expect to be back in Thailand on 14th. This is going to cost me about 6K all up Aussie dollars. My brother had his done 4 years ago, and he said the whole world changed for him that week, and it is still 20/20. I am going to get mine done with the same guy in Melbourne. Wish me luck. If it goes pear shaped, I will get someone to post a comment in here for me in late March 2011. I hope I don't have to start learning brail at 56 Years of age.

Roger D