Shopping for Spectacles in Pattaya - Optician, Optometrist, or Opthamologist?

[JGregory]

Having worn spectacles for 40 odd years, 'glasses' for us Americans, I was finally in need of new prescription lenses here in Thailand. Usually get that done on trips back home to Denver.

Got a lot a good advice here on Thaivisa, but none too recent, and armed with loads of advice from friends... I started checking optical shops first. Felt like I didn't really need a full opthamologist exam, and still had the recent USA optemtrist's official prescription with me. So I just wanted new lenses for my existing frames still in great condition.

Here's my story and I hope useful to anyone heading out on the same shopping trip. Date this info from May/June 2013 for reference. I encourage all others to comment or post on this thread. Thaivisa is the pivot point for best local shopping advice, in my experience... and the knowledgeable posters are much appreciated by me

Prices in TH - Lower than Europe or USA?

Friends said yes... save a lot of money. I didn't really see much difference in USA pricing on the major brand name lenses, such as Hoya (Japanese brand), Essilor (USA & France), Rodenstock (Germany), all of these available in most shops. That's because I've been using online USA sources for buying frames and Essilor progressive lenses on last two trips. Online saves about 40% over what a local USA optician's price will be for same lenses. I go for Esslior Physio progressives, their top of the line lens and highly recommend Physio for progressives. Wider corridor removes that annoying head movement necessary with other progressives, every time to you need to focus in on something on your desk

Lenses manufactured here in LOS are much cheaper,

Quality is it Same-same or Lower in TH?

All those major brand lenses are available. Lenses manufactured here... I can't say personally about the quality. However friends reported mixed results and usually negative. One thing to note is that quality frames are just as important, if not moreso for comfort, vision and length of time they remain suitable for looks and wearing. I've never scrimped on frames and have had many gold anodized last 12 years or more in good condition.

Fitting New Lenses for your Personal Vision Profile

This is where the optician needs real knowledge, experience, and training. Single vision not such a big deal, but progressive lenses it is critical to find the best optician IMO. There is a center vision spot that needs locating for grinding the lenses down to fit the frame. This spot location can get tricky if you have smaller frames and smaller lenses. Not as much wiggle room for error. Any optician that uses a magic marker while eyeballing that center spot had better know what he's doing. There are new gadgets for doing it digitally, but didn't see any of those around on my extensive shopping trip. Another bit of optician expertise, just as critical, is understanding the 'corridor' in the different progressive lenses and helping you decide which one suits your vision profile. At some point you have to trust the optician to guide you in choosing. Golfers gain real benefit with short corridor lenses, and polarized lenses are available which make a ton of difference in bright sunshine. Other vision profiles are for snooker players, computer users, and veteran book readers who spend hours with paperbacks. Sometimes the normal progressive profile is suitable for you is good for all occasions, sometimes not. All of us are unique and eyes come two to a customer. There is a difference between your left and right in many ways.

Pupillary Distance

The distance between your pupils is indeed a proper measurement done by an optician and not by the optometrist doing an eye exam. Many of us have a left and right difference that will affect your vision, especially with small lenses fitted to smaller frames. That's what the guy is measuring with the magic marker pen doing it manually which is never accurate for small lens shapes.

However, with progressive lenses another critical distance is vertical distance between the bottom of the lens shape and the center of your pupils. And that measurement changes with every different lens shape. And how the frames actually fit on your nose and face. With progressives the "reading" part is actually very small in small lenses. Get that wrong and your nodding your head and neck in all sorts of weird angles to read

All in all, IMO the guy or girl with long experience and good training is a better choice if seeing well is important to you.

Shopping Trip for Optics in Pattaya

Chain Optic Shops

In my experience, the chain style optic shops seemed staffed with eager clerks with only basic knowledge. Plus just selling me lenses at any price didn't seem to be on their radar. One of those 'cannot do. Mister' areas. No need to describe this style of optician they are every street corner just look for the lavender uniforms. Personally, not for me. Single vision, simple lenses for your girlfriend... likely a good choice.

Euro-Optics on 2nd Road
Across from Royal Garden shopping complex

Seemed very knowledgeable. Came highly recommended. But just buying lenses didn't seem possible here at all. Pricey too. The official optometrist checkup for a new prescription is mandatory. Not a bad idea if you haven't had a test recently, but for me I moved on for more shopping. I have no quibble with their policy, except I didn't get the feeling they had genuine optometrist training and university degree. Just better knowledge than most chain optic shops. I kept on shopping.

Central Mall Optics Shops

Seems to be about a half dozen or so located in Central Plaza shopping complex between 2nd Road and Beach Road. Stopped in most of them, seems pricey, some were knowledgeable and helpful, most were only eager to sell me a new pair only. None seemed to have a genuine optometrist. In fact, that seems the norm here in TH for all opticians and optical shops. In Europe and America, when an optometrists was needed I always found them camped out together with the optician in the same office, or the same corner at least. Makes it easier and smart business for both of them.

Hospital Clinics - Bangok Hospital, Pattaya International, PhyaThai in Sriracha

Honestly can't give a personal report on these. I know they all offer eye exams and opthamologists as well. Always convenient to use the for-profit hospital clinics are most things. I'm sure the service and quality are good at any of them. Language barrier is generally less of a challenge too.

Worldwide Optical

This seems to be tied in with same company/owner known as Pattaya Optical located on Center Road (Pattaya Klang). Not sure, but WorldWide Optical is located on Naklua Road about 3 blocks up from the Dolphin roundabout. On the right side. Heard good things about them, and stopped in for a visit. Seemed a bad time for the staff, that happens... I looked around at the shop displays, asked for the pricing on lenses only from one clerk and got the same story as elsewhere.

My City Optical

Naklua Road. 3 blocks on Left up from Dolphin roundabout. On the left-hand side

Next to a Family Mart in a strip mall complex, just across the street from Worldwide.

City Optical is where I finally purchased lenses for 2 pair of my existing frames. Buying lenses only was not a problem here. I got the top quality Essilor lenses that are actually imported from the US plant for a very nice price. Still a lot of money and why I don't mind the time invested in shopping around. I was actually more interested in proper fitting and that came down to the right optician. I found him here.

The owner, Nakorn Wongthip, speaks excellent English. Gives you personal service too. He's a young family man, who started out working in the Essilor facility here in Thailand... and a few others as well, where he learned to grind out the lenses and fit them into the frames. Got full training in lab work and then moved on to the optician certification. He knows what he's about... and you sense that in first 30 seconds talking with Khun Nakorn. His lovely wife is also an optician and working side by side in this new shop, they made the best combination for me. They are just opening this shop, I get the idea it was a big jump for them... leaving long-term jobs to become first time entrepreneurs.

Bingo! We have a Winner

The highlight of my story is the saga of getting the right lenses for the second pair, these I use for endless hours in front of a computer... so the fitting is even more finicky. I had an older prescription lens in these, but I had the recent US optometrist prescription on paper. So any optician can go by that and move on to the fitting. Nakorn insisted he give me a complimentary eye test at no charge to be sure. He uses the old-fashioned method, changing out the lenses from the table-sized attache case into the plastic frames while you look at the chart on the wall. Again, he knew exactly what he was doing. That test was for the the regular prescription for my everyday progressive lenses

All is well. Now it gets interesting. In America and Europe it is common for optometrists to write in special prescription combination for computer lenses. You won't be wearing them outside, but they reduce eye fatigue with long use in front of computers. I've had a pair exclusively for computer use for last 18 years.

I asked if he wanted to check that American written prescription for computer use himself... using his own gear. Frankly, I wasn't sure if it was correct. The older pair I was using was 8 years old prescription and still worked somewhat, but the prescription was out of date. Nakorn said not necessary. I even asked again, so we wouldn't make a mistake. But he said he'd done computer glasses for other customers and should be no problem.

There was a problem. The everyday pair were perfect. The computer glasses, not even close. Couldn't see diddly with them. Nakorn was crestfallen and worried, but simply said he would make them again after he tested my eyes. No extra charge...it was his fault he said. So, on to another eye test and he was satisfied it was correct. Nakorn then suggested he make the lenses in a special way for computer use. Something different that he knew how to do. The computer glasses I had were made with a longer field of depth. The old onesI could watch TV with them from 15 feet away. He said his way was better and would only work for the computer but I would be happier. So I agreed.

Then the worst thing occurred... when the new lenses came in, I still couldn't see the monitor. These had such a narrow range, I had to crouch up over the desk about 16 inches from the monitor, or raise my head up at such an odd angle my neck was aching in 10 minutes. There just wasn't any room to maneuver for the distance from monitor to my eyes.

At this point, I just told him not to worry about it. "My Phen Lai.. Arai gadai." Shit happens. After 2 tries, with the second one at his expense, I didn't want him to take a chance again. I could go on with the old pair Much to my surprise, Nakorn insisted he make a third set of computer lenses at his expense. I refused. He insisted, saying I must be a satisfied customer. That's just the way it had to be. Okay, I tried to refuse and wanted to just leave the shop then and there. But relented finally and the third time he made the lenses was indeed the charm. All I can say is never in all my years here in LOS, have I had this experience with any purchase. And remember, his only mistake was trusting the American optometrist to get it right, and evidently that guy didn't for the computer part.

I plan on doing some special things for this couple in future, and one of them is this long post on Thaivisa. I'd like everyone reading this to forget what happened to my computer lenses... and only focus on the fact that Nakorn has proper training with the lab certifications to prove it, has lots of experience, he just plain knows his business. His pricing was the best I found, the personal service was top notch. He would welcome new customers exactly as he did me, even this wasn't a new shop. He does know the vision issues for golfers, athletes, and computer users

Their phone is a bit a problem. TOT can't get his internet service to stop blocking his phone at odd hours during the day. If you get no answer, drop in anyway. They are open the usual hours Mon-Sat. Tel: 038-410126 Email: [email protected]

EDIT - More options

Pattaya Optical - 175/10 Central Pattaya Rd. Tel: 038 428 170

http://www.pattayaoptical.com/

Online Lenses and Frames - www.zennioptical.com

This is an American company with plant and shipping in China. They ship direct to your home address anywhere. And are very cheap on price. A few swear it worked out fine for them. However, I think they had simple single vision or low power bifocals mainly for reading. Me, I'll stay with doing personal business with an optician over here

Opthamologist - Exam, Cataract surgery in Pattaya

Khun Nakorn noticed what he thought was the beginning of a cataract in my right eye. Popped round to see Dr Nattawat on Mike's recommendation at Pattaya Beach books.
He does a lot of eye surgery at local hospitals but this is his personal office for exams. 1500 baht for complete exam, including some drops to hold off the cataract which he says is about 10% for me. Those things just happen as we get older and they creep along until your back in for the surgery. Which is a complete lens replacement these days. Dr. Nattawat is 50k Baht for one eye, and 85k if want a progressive lens inserted. At which point you don't need spectacles for that eye. Myself I'll just wait on that one until there's not other option

Edited June 19, 2013 by JGregory

[avidflyer]

Zennioptical.com works great for me!

[topt]

OP thanks for taking the time to post your experiences. Very interesting.

One thing that was not clear to me was the difference between the three types of eye specialists. Anyway I googled it and found this which seems fairly clear for anybody else interested - all be it UK centric - http://www.webmd.boots.com/eye-health/guide/eye-doctors-optometrists-ophthalmologists

[Phil Conners]

There's another option that wasn't mentioned, between the 100 baht throw-away glasses they sell everywhere and a visit to the optician. There is a guy on the ground floor on Tukcom who sells glasses with proper frames and prescription lenses made to order for around 1000-1500 all incl. A/R and scratch resistant and a quite decent frame. Obviously this is only for simple corrections, no bifocals, no astigmatism, but otherwise a good, inexpensive alternative. He says he get the lenses cut in a nearby optician but I don't know the details. I had a nice pair of reading glasses made for 1200 baht and am very happy with the result.

Zennioptical.com is actually a Chinese company - at least the glasses are made and shipped from China.

[infinity11]

my last pair of specs i got in the states were made in china

they are better than any i bought in thailand

i will be looking for the unbreakable flex kind soon

where in pattaya can i find those?

thanks

[LongTimeLurker]

Lenses manufactured here in LOS are much cheaper,

Can's say I agree with that although I have no experience of USA prices for progressive lenses.

Most opticians I've been to here quote me 12,000 Baht for progressives.

I've found one that quoted 6,000 Baht.

I get them for the equivalent of 1,500 Baht on trips to Vietnam, it's like getting a free flight!

[JGregory]

There's another option that wasn't mentioned, between the 100 baht throw-away glasses they sell everywhere and a visit to the optician. There is a guy on the ground floor on Tukcom who sells glasses with proper frames and prescription lenses made to order for around 1000-1500 all incl. A/R and scratch resistant and a quite decent frame. Obviously this is only for simple corrections, no bifocals, no astigmatism, but otherwise a good, inexpensive alternative. He says he get the lenses cut in a nearby optician but I don't know the details. I had a nice pair of reading glasses made for 1200 baht and am very happy with the result.

Zennioptical.com is actually a Chinese company - at least the glasses are made and shipped from China.

That guy in Tuckcom... good choice for single vision. With the extras you mentioned... A/R and scratch... 1500B is a flat out bargain.

As someone pointed out, my story centers around progressives which are a bit different... and more importantly, everyone wanting progressives needs a unique profile fitted by an optician with experience. The fitting is the big deal... and I mean the combination of prescription and all the critical measurements top to bottom, side to side and the corridor you choose. Simply put, difference between good fitting and and a poor one is... Good fitting is moving your eyes to pickup on different medium distances... Bad is bobbing your head like a pigeon and craning your neck to move the lenses when your eye movement adjustment won't do.

That's a big deal for me since I work at a computer desk. Same-same for athletics. Golfers can really benefit from the newest corridor technology... when you swing back with the club, if you've got properly fitted Hoya lenses with the new corridor... you can still the ball clearly without straining your neck too far. Eye movement vs neck movement again.

Nakorn at My City Optical is up on all this golfer, snooker, and computer spectacles. I have 3 different pair myself to suit the need, the good vision is just important for me.

Zennioptical.com is actually a Chinese company... correctomundo; but it is American owned and American managed according to my source. I'm sure the quality is good. The high quality Western companies all follow that model... their own people move to China and manage the shop. Frieling and Solingen are European companies using the same model and their goods from China are same quality as German produced.

BTW, my previous note about the opthamologist, Dr. Nattawat. I have to withdraw that... without going into a long story... his eye test prescription turned out to be flat out wrong. I went for a full eye exam to be on the safe side, which included the progressives prescription. Under no circumstances would I use him for spectacles or the eye test for prescription spectacles. He might be a great eye surgeon, but obviously he just doesn't have the experience with fitting spectacles.

Edited June 24, 2013 by JGregory

[jmccarty]

My City Optical is not there anymore unfortunately, you have done a good right up on him.

I did find Euro-Optics on 2nd Road and have ordered a high end set of lenses from them. She is quite happy to install them in existing frames and demostrated in depth knowledge of my eyes after a check up and the lens options for progressives.

[Crossy]

An inappropriate joke has been removed.

[infinity11]

Anyone know where are flexon/sturdy/unbreakable frames can be found in pattaya?

Edited November 22, 2013 by infinity11

[WitawatWatawit]

Excellent post. Thanks for the info - will be most helpful as I tap my way into an optician store. If I find anyone good and reliable here on the darkside I shall let you know. Haven't heard of anyone, though.

[Gone]

You might want to read the thread I just posted today here.

[Gone]

Excellent post. Thanks for the info - will be most helpful as I tap my way into an optician store. If I find anyone good and reliable here on the darkside I shall let you know. Haven't heard of anyone, though.

Did you miss the post I just put on TV today?