Good Place For Eyeglasses And Real Eye Exam

[PoodMaiDai]

The point with the high street shops is that they are all just about the same, the push will be on from the moment you walk in to but expensive frames and lenses. I wear progressive lens and I have a good pair (Essilor 360) for home use and then a cheap pair tinted black for outside and for driving, trying to get the cheap pair replaced is a nightmare because everyone wants to sell my the expnsive stuff and regularly quotes 15k and up for the lenses - with some research I've found I can buy the lense for 5k but the trouble is, they don't want to to sell them to you or even to let you know about them. Another trick is to buy the frames and the lenses separately, depending on what deals you find where.

It is also possible they are so poorly trained they don't even know about them. That seems to be the bulk of my experiences in Thailand.

But that's the thing, you can't win either way. Either they don't know or they try to hose you. Shame.

[PoodMaiDai]

RE "Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd

I went here with my prescription from RAM and he dismissed it saying he would give me a free test as he didn't trust their results. After his comprehensive and highly technical procedures he gave me the resulting lenses for my approval and they were fine. He then gave me another pair of lenses to try and I said "no thanks, the first pair was much better". He then told me the second pair was the RAM prescription."

Based on recommendations here I went there last week immediately following and with my prescription from St Peters'. He said the new prescription was useless. My 5-year old lenses were fine Hmmm.

That is exactly the sort of shenanigans that make me want to beat my head against the wall. You don't know who to believe.

My friend went through 4 or 5 dentists here in CM, each telling him he needed to do something different for the issue he had, all contradicting each other and telling him the last dentist did a poor job of fixing his tooth. Additionally, a few years ago when I told my US dentist I was going to get some work done in Thailand, he literally laughed at me right in his office and said he has fixed more messed up work that was made in Thailand than he wants to admit. I know some people have good care here but I usually hear unsatisfactory stories.

[Saan]

So Vision Center good for lenses and frames.

hellodolly, could you expound on that info re: the eye exam at the doctor inside the moat, north side (Sripum) closer to Ram that Mr. VC recommended? As in, name and address and maybe phone?

I've had good luck with Tokyo Optic at KSK for eye exam, and a good price at Optic Square in KSK for lenses and frames.

Coincidentaly, I had a spring-loaded earpiece on a very nice frame break on me the other day (old frame Geoffry Beene brought from US, 10+ yrs old).

Went to Optic Square- repair out of the question. Managed to find some rather pricey frames that the lenses could be cut to fit into.

They still have the 2990 for progressives price advertised on their front window. That is lenses only I refer to.

I suspect it does not come with all the bells and whistles that my original pair from them came with. Meaning included anti-reflective and anti-scratch, wide track progressive, super thin (all the vendor, technical and marketing terms elude me, my apologies).

My original couple pair of lenses from them worked very well for me- I'm still using them 3 years later!

They largly sell Essilor, which is considered inferior to Hoya.

I've had eyeglasses made from both, couldn't tell the difference.

Will try Vision Center for frames and lenses, but hope to hear back from hellodolly regarding the eye exam Dr. that Mr. VC recommends.

Extremely sorry. I have no information I gave the card to Dr Morgan.

It was on the north side of the old city inside the moat If memory serves me right it was close t the west side of the old city.

I have heard good reports on ST. Peters it is just eye work.

Has anyone had any eye work, such as cataract surgery, done at St Peters? Or is there anywhere else that forum members would recommend for catacts?

[hellodolly]

RE "Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd

I went here with my prescription from RAM and he dismissed it saying he would give me a free test as he didn't trust their results. After his comprehensive and highly technical procedures he gave me the resulting lenses for my approval and they were fine. He then gave me another pair of lenses to try and I said "no thanks, the first pair was much better". He then told me the second pair was the RAM prescription."

Based on recommendations here I went there last week immediately following and with my prescription from St Peters'. He said the new prescription was useless. My 5-year old lenses were fine Hmmm.

That is exactly the sort of shenanigans that make me want to beat my head against the wall. You don't know who to believe.

My friend went through 4 or 5 dentists here in CM, each telling him he needed to do something different for the issue he had, all contradicting each other and telling him the last dentist did a poor job of fixing his tooth. Additionally, a few years ago when I told my US dentist I was going to get some work done in Thailand, he literally laughed at me right in his office and said he has fixed more messed up work that was made in Thailand than he wants to admit. I know some people have good care here but I usually hear unsatisfactory stories.

I might mention that before I got my eye exam I asked him if I should get a full eye check up at St.Peters and he said it would be a good idea. I did and then went to see him. As I have said he said it was not really worth the money for the amount of difference it would make.

I consider that to be a honest and professional approach.

[southernXXXman]

The usual answer, with which I agree whole-heartedly, is Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd. It's near to the UN Irish Pub, same side but a little closer to Moon Muang.

/ Priceless

Vision Center is my best bet.

Had 3 - 4 pair of specs there over the years.

Probably the best optometrist, best computerised equipment, most honest service, and good quality product (either Hoya or Essilor)

TopCharoen and Tokyo are or would be OK if you were in the Sudan or an equally primitive location.

[orang37]

Not sure if this place qualifies for a REAL EYE Exam, however I've been wearing glasses for about the past 42 years and it works for me. Location... At the Holiday Inn Light after you cross the river turn RIGHT going toward the Super Highway on 106. When you get the the Market on your LEFT just accross from the Holiday Inn the Eye Glass store is on your LEFT. A small shop that I have been using for the past 5 years. I go to Big C or somewhere like that and pick out frames from a pair of sunglasses or reading glasses I like. Take them to this place. You sit down and she does an Eye test using the automated Machine. Same ones the doctors used in the USA when I had my Lasik Surgery done 10 years ago. About 30 seconds later you have a great prescription. She tests the prescription to make sure you like it and can see. Then she MAKES the lenses for your glasses in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cost = 400 baht for a new pair of glasses.

Just to add a little more direction to this referral for newcomers: you cross from the west side of the Ping to the east side, then turn right. The market on your left is called "Nong Hoi."

Second, if you have any serious astigmatism, or any indication of any degeneration of sight in any one particular area of the eye, chronically "bloodshot" or irritated eyes, please, see an opthalmologist at Maharaj/Sriphat or Ram, or another medical facility. If you have any chronic head-ache, hyper-tension, you probably want your intra-ocular pressure checked (tonometry), also.

The people who do eye tests in all the glasses' stores here are NOT doctors !

best, ~o:37;

Edited March 28, 2012 by orang37

[Mekong Bob]

Does Thailand have optometrists yet? Chiang Mai? I am thinking of O.D. optometrists - Doctor of Optometry. In understand there is a program at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok - any graduates? Bachelor's or Doctoral degrees?

quoted from prior post:

. . . . if you have any serious astigmatism, or any indication of any degeneration of sight in any one particular area of the eye, chronically "bloodshot" or irritated eyes, please, see an opthalmologist at Maharaj/Sriphat or Ram, or another medical facility. If you have any chronic head-ache, hyper-tension, you probably want your intra-ocular pressure checked (tonometry), also.

The people who do eye tests in all the glasses' stores here are NOT doctors !

[Rama]

They are progressive lenses or trifocals, not bifocals. I got mine at Beautiful Optical near 7 by Sompet market. There is 1 guy in there, about 6 foot tall, glasses, very professional. I've gone to different optical shops around town and had my best experience with him. He used to be at beautiful optical at Airport Plaza, got moved to the other location. I've had bad experiences at other Beautiful optical shops, it all depends on the person.

Tokyo optical, very expensive. Top Chareon opticaal is cheap, cheap, Beautiful optical middle of the road in pricing.

Not sure what you mean by a 'real' eye exam, they all use computerized equipment and the same lenses for testing. I have run across people that don't have good training, but others that are good.

[Sparkles]

A friend recommended www.selectspecs.com .He has bought 3 pairs online and never had a problem. When you see the prices we might ask why eyeglases are so expensive in retail shops.

[Mekong Bob]

Any recommendations for a good "eye clinic" in Chiang Mai? Need a complete vision exam (and frame measurements) before ordering new eyeglasses online.

Vision Center does not offer vision exams UNLESS you buy your eyeglasses from them. VC's prescription info cannot leave the store, per VC policy. If you want polycarbonate lenses, Vision Center says such lenses are not made in Thailand, and they cannot special-order.

Any ideas, other than a trip to Bangkok? Thanks!

Does Thailand have optometrists yet? Chiang Mai? I am thinking of O.D. optometrists - Doctor of Optometry. In understand there is a program at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok - any graduates? Bachelor's or Doctoral degrees?

quoted from prior post:

. . . . if you have any serious astigmatism, or any indication of any degeneration of sight in any one particular area of the eye, chronically "bloodshot" or irritated eyes, please, see an opthalmologist at Maharaj/Sriphat or Ram, or another medical facility. If you have any chronic head-ache, hyper-tension, you probably want your intra-ocular pressure checked (tonometry), also.

The people who do eye tests in all the glasses' stores here are NOT doctors !

[elektrified]

Any recommendations for a good "eye clinic" in Chiang Mai? Need a complete vision exam (and frame measurements) before ordering new eyeglasses online.

Vision Center does not offer vision exams UNLESS you buy your eyeglasses from them. VC's prescription info cannot leave the store, per VC policy. If you want polycarbonate lenses, Vision Center says such lenses are not made in Thailand, and they cannot special-order.

Any ideas, other than a trip to Bangkok? Thanks!

Sorry can't help but to say that I once took my son who was just an infant at the time to St. Peters Eye Hospital for treatment when he got an eye infection from a swimming pool and was very pleased with the treatment and service there.

If you do decide to go to Bangkok, I can not say enough good things about Rutnin Eye Hospital. It is the most impressive and professional operation I have been to in Thailand with people from all over the world coming for treatment. They have to have at least 35 eye doctors there, all specialists in one thing or another. And, prices are not expensive at all.

Good luck.

[Rimmer]

Spam post removed

[kcore]

The usual answer, with which I agree whole-heartedly, is Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd. It's near to the UN Irish Pub, same side but a little closer to Moon Muang.

/ Priceless

+1

[rebo]

I have used Tokyo optic for the past decade or more. I get new spectacles every two years or so. They're not cheap, but I've always found them to be excellent quality and the staff appear to know what they are talking about. There's a branch downstairs in Big C Hang dong Rd that I used last time, after the branch opposite the Duangtawan hotel closed down. I'm sure there are other branches too.

Same me and my wife. Always 100% satisfied since almost 20 years.

[elektrified]

The usual answer, with which I agree whole-heartedly, is Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd. It's near to the UN Irish Pub, same side but a little closer to Moon Muang.

/ Priceless

+1

+2

[phuket Mike]

The usual answer, with which I agree whole-heartedly, is Vision Center in Rajvitthi Rd. It's near to the UN Irish Pub, same side but a little closer to Moon Muang.

/ Priceless

+1

[hellodolly]

I had a complete eye check yesterday at the Ram. I need reading glasses. that was a known fact going in. The rest of the eye exam was OK I guess. told I had catereraks and would need surgery but not important now maybe three years. I have known about them for ten years always the same OK now later.

that is not the reason I am posting. I just got a PM from a optical shop offering me free reading glasses if I was to come in to have my eyes checked by them. Not likely I thought the dilation was never going to wear off yesterday.

[SuperBie]

Does Thailand have optometrists yet? Chiang Mai? I am thinking of O.D. optometrists - Doctor of Optometry. In understand there is a program at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok - any graduates? Bachelor's or Doctoral degrees?

quoted from prior post:

. . . . if you have any serious astigmatism, or any indication of any degeneration of sight in any one particular area of the eye, chronically "bloodshot" or irritated eyes, please, see an opthalmologist at Maharaj/Sriphat or Ram, or another medical facility. If you have any chronic head-ache, hyper-tension, you probably want your intra-ocular pressure checked (tonometry), also.

The people who do eye tests in all the glasses' stores here are NOT doctors !

O.D. optometrists is a program at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok graduates Bachelor's degree, The major is eye examination not excellence in medical

but if you have serious eye problem, lets check St peter's hospital on Chiang Mai - Lampang Rd, the hospital specializing in Ophthalmology

There's also have eye exam section in the hospital. if you want to make eye exam with doctor, I recommend this place

[HaleySabai]

I bought new frames and lenses from Mr.VC 10 months ago, after the impressive examination procedure he talked me into going with the "high-quality" lenses that won't scratch. After only 4 months the lenses started to show light yet visible scratches. A few more months and I went back to my Country and out of curiosity popped into an eyeglass shop in town and asked them to test my lenses.

The answer was "cheap quality,easy to scratch".....from now I will buy eyeglasses in my own county,get what I pay and....for less $$$.

[stament]

On 12/19/2013 at 6:43 PM, HaleySabai said:

I bought new frames and lenses from Mr.VC 10 months ago, after the impressive examination procedure he talked me into going with the "high-quality" lenses that won't scratch. After only 4 months the lenses started to show light yet visible scratches. A few more months and I went back to my Country and out of curiosity popped into an eyeglass shop in town and asked them to test my lenses.

The answer was "cheap quality,easy to scratch".....from now I will buy eyeglasses in my own county,get what I pay and....for less $$$.

Interesting after all the positives....

[Brightly]

I recommend getting a REAL refraction done and buying glasses online from Zenni.

 

LOVE Zenni!

 

Now, the lovely gentleman at the Vision Center customarily refuses to perform his (excellent) refractions without eyeglasses purchased from him.  He won’t even do a stand-alone refraction for a king’s ransom (although he did it for me “just the one time”).

 

So I suggest getting a REAL refraction at Ram or a comparable place (not at the mall, or so called “vision centers” - this is not a real refraction).

 

Once you have the written prescription (including pupillary distance [PD] - very important), try our Zenni.

 

Their lenses are excellent, but some frames are on the flimsy side. Consequently, check out customer reviews to ascertain quality of frames.  

 

After that, pick out frames that suit you (you can even “try them on” using a selfie), punch in your rx info, pay online, and VOILA!  In about 10 days you’ll have a great pair of shockingly cheap glasses.  And I’ve never paid a baht of customs on my many, many purchases ( I consider glasses to be an accessory like jewelry, and I have 10+ pairs).

 

Even if you don’t go the Zenni route, I do recommend getting a separate written rx ( remember to get PD) and shopping around.

 

Good luck!

[Bill97]

I bought new frames and lenses from Mr.VC 10 months ago, after the impressive examination procedure he talked me into going with the "high-quality" lenses that won't scratch. After only 4 months the lenses started to show light yet visible scratches. A few more months and I went back to my Country and out of curiosity popped into an eyeglass shop in town and asked them to test my lenses.

The answer was "cheap quality,easy to scratch".....from now I will buy eyeglasses in my own county,get what I pay and....for less $$$.

He sold me some “high quality” lenses that went orange peal after 10 months. They ignored the orange peal when I showed it to them, could only talk scratches which were my fault of course. Bye bye.

 

 

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[Mapguy]

I haven’t been disappointed at Eye Vision Center, only to say he isn’t cheap. He is careful and experienced but he is not a trained optometrist. Otherwise, if you haven’t done so recently a full exam by an ophthalmologist really should be done first, especially if you are older. Then get a refraction done by an optometrist available at Chiang Mai Ram or Bangkok Hospital’s to my knowledge and perhaps elsewhere. Otherwise it is probably safer to avoid chain optical shops.


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