Cataract & Lens Replacement

[luk AJ]

Did they put multi focus lens and no halo? Can you ask doctor how this is done? New technology?

[Tonto21]

Hi, 10 days since 2nd eye was done...... No problems, very happy with results.

Only a few points to note. one being strong light........ I will ajust too this, I've been told as I get used to more light getting in and the halo's at nigh with car and street lights..... But all in all, I'm very happy.

Tonto

[Naam]

Did they put multi focus lens and no halo? Can you ask doctor how this is done? New technology?

yes it's multi focus and no halo. halo only in very rare cases not related to lens but to individual eye i was told by three different surgeons. i specifically enquired about that before i decided on multi focus.

light sensitivity as Tonto describes it does exist, but no halo.

[Naam]

here's a wealth of information concerning multi focus lenses and halos:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&as_q=mulit+focus+lens+halo&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&lr=&cr=&as_qdr=all&as_sitesearch=&as_occt=any&safe=images&as_filetype=&as_rights=&gws_rd=ssl

[sanuk711]

my cataract surgery is planned for coming monday Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. one eye first and if (after a week) i'm happy with the result i might get the other one done too. multifocal lens, cost ~THB 100k per eye.

You are IMO going to the best hospital-& the best surgeon for that procedure I wouldn't recommend the place for many other type of opps.

You are also having the magnified optic lens...I have had it & so have many of my friends (about 6) all with Doctor Somchai.

The worse result from one friend was that he thought his eyes felt a little dry / gritty but that was solved by another visit to Somchai.

I can not see the point in getting the procedure done (unless its absolutely necessary) without having the magnified lens replacement.

Not ever having to wear glasses again is a great experience---

And you get the free T-shirt.............

The procedure while uncomfortable --as mentioned by a poster is so much better than a visit to the dentist--I had both eyes done at once.

Don't make my mistake Naam----I brought a condo in Ban Chang and started the renovations same week, every thing color wise was just so much brighter--I keep looking at the color chart in the paint shop saying.....I like this, but does it come in a lighter shade----yes said the girl we call it white.

[Naam]

for the record:

-the name of my eye surgeon is not Dr. Somchai,

-no idea whether i "magnified optical lens" was fitted,

-the description is "multifocal plus UV-filter", details (no idea what they mean):

-my eye felt quite gritty today but a drop of the prescribe 3% NaCl solution soothed it,

-i did not get a free t-shirt

-only used rather weak glasses +1.25 for reading and computer (no real bother),

surgery was mandatory because one eye deteriorated over night, vision blurred.

-during the surgery i dozed off and the surgeon reminded me "stay awake Sir!"

never in my life i dozed off in a dentist's chair

this afternoon left eye will be done.

[sanuk711]

That's a surprise Naam---so it wasn't this guy ?-- Dr. SOMCHAI TRAKOOLSHOKESATIAN

I meant to mention in my post that the whole opp is on youtube if anyone is considering the pros & cons

Edited June 29, 2015 by sanuk711

[Naam]

my surgeon was Dr. Srisuraj Sawang who seems to have done a good job.

update:

-yesterday surgery left eye,

-today removal of protective contact lens,

-both eyes extremely light sensitive inspite of wearing sunglasses

and sitting in an all around tinted car,

-had to reduce again brightness and contrast of computer screens

and television.

[thaibeachlovers]

my cataract surgery is planned for coming monday Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. one eye first and if (after a week) i'm happy with the result i might get the other one done too. multifocal lens, cost ~THB 100k per eye.

You are IMO going to the best hospital-& the best surgeon for that procedure I wouldn't recommend the place for many other type of opps.

You are also having the magnified optic lens...I have had it & so have many of my friends (about 6) all with Doctor Somchai.

The worse result from one friend was that he thought his eyes felt a little dry / gritty but that was solved by another visit to Somchai.

I can not see the point in getting the procedure done (unless its absolutely necessary) without having the magnified lens replacement.

Not ever having to wear glasses again is a great experience---

And you get the free T-shirt.............

The procedure while uncomfortable --as mentioned by a poster is so much better than a visit to the dentist--I had both eyes done at once.

Don't make my mistake Naam----I brought a condo in Ban Chang and started the renovations same week, every thing color wise was just so much brighter--I keep looking at the color chart in the paint shop saying.....I like this, but does it come in a lighter shade----yes said the girl we call it white.

You are IMO going to the best hospital-& the best surgeon for that procedure

I worked in an opthalmic teaching hospital in London. While the "best" surgeons did a good job the learners could and did stuff up. Many was the time the consultant had to be called in half way through to rescue the operation. One klutz made a mess of two eyes in a row.

[Roger Lee]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

Edited August 14, 2015 by Roger Lee

[thaibeachlovers]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

That seems like a long time for a consultant to take. Most consultants I worked with in the UK took between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour. Unless the lens is complicated to install I can't see why so long.

However, you seem satisfied so worth it, though I'm surprised the insurance agreed to pay for more than a basic lens.

PS I think I've sussed it. According to the profile I found on the internet she is a retinal specialist, not a cataract specialist. Probably just does lens implants sometimes.

Edited August 16, 2015 by thaibeachlovers

[Roger Lee]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

That seems like a long time for a consultant to take. Most consultants I worked with in the UK took between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour. Unless the lens is complicated to install I can't see why so long.

However, you seem satisfied so worth it, though I'm surprised the insurance agreed to pay for more than a basic lens.

PS I think I've sussed it. According to the profile I found on the internet she is a retinal specialist, not a cataract specialist. Probably just does lens implants sometimes.

She spent a lot of time getting the positioning right on the lens, and I probably wasn't helping, very claustrophobic.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Roger Lee

[Naam]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals)

same same here. actually these lenses are multifocal. my procedure lasted 20 minutes per eye (Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Dr. Srisuraj Sawang).

[thaibeachlovers]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

That seems like a long time for a consultant to take. Most consultants I worked with in the UK took between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour. Unless the lens is complicated to install I can't see why so long.

However, you seem satisfied so worth it, though I'm surprised the insurance agreed to pay for more than a basic lens.

PS I think I've sussed it. According to the profile I found on the internet she is a retinal specialist, not a cataract specialist. Probably just does lens implants sometimes.

She spent a lot of time getting the positioning right on the lens, and I probably wasn't helping, very claustrophobic.

Anyone that has a problem with lying still as long as it takes should ask for sedation.

A cataract specialist consultant would have the lens in in a jiffy, regardless.

[Naam]

Well I had my right eye fixed a couple of days ago with Attaporn Suwannik , M.D. at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. It was difficult laying there under the knife for about an hour but the end result is more than worth it. I can now read without glasses even with my left eye only being 20/40 unaided.

I had the high dollar PhysIOL Intraocular Lens installed (kind of like bifocals), cost the insurance company a shade over 100,000 baht.

Went home immediately after at 6 PM and returned the next morning at 8 AM to have the patch taken off. Instantly I have near perfect eyesight and everyday it gets better as my brain becomes adapted I guess.

The color, contrast, clarity, acuity, saturation, etc. is back like I have a young eye again. Medical science is amazing.

I'm not sure if I'll do the left eye yet but will for sure if it gets worse.

Hope this helps anyone that is considering this procedure.

That seems like a long time for a consultant to take. Most consultants I worked with in the UK took between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour. Unless the lens is complicated to install I can't see why so long.

However, you seem satisfied so worth it, though I'm surprised the insurance agreed to pay for more than a basic lens.

PS I think I've sussed it. According to the profile I found on the internet she is a retinal specialist, not a cataract specialist. Probably just does lens implants sometimes.

She spent a lot of time getting the positioning right on the lens, and I probably wasn't helping, very claustrophobic.

Anyone that has a problem with lying still as long as it takes should ask for sedation.

A cataract specialist consultant would have the lens in in a jiffy, regardless.

for claustrophobic people even a "jiffy" is a torture. i did not mind at all, even dozed off and the surgeon reminded me "wake up Sir!". that happened when the right as well as the left eye was done.

[thaibeachlovers]

That seems like a long time for a consultant to take. Most consultants I worked with in the UK took between 15 minutes and 1/2 hour. Unless the lens is complicated to install I can't see why so long.

However, you seem satisfied so worth it, though I'm surprised the insurance agreed to pay for more than a basic lens.

PS I think I've sussed it. According to the profile I found on the internet she is a retinal specialist, not a cataract specialist. Probably just does lens implants sometimes.

She spent a lot of time getting the positioning right on the lens, and I probably wasn't helping, very claustrophobic.

Anyone that has a problem with lying still as long as it takes should ask for sedation.

A cataract specialist consultant would have the lens in in a jiffy, regardless.

for claustrophobic people even a "jiffy" is a torture. i did not mind at all, even dozed off and the surgeon reminded me "wake up Sir!". that happened when the right as well as the left eye was done.

Having assisted with over a thousand cataract operations, it would be torture for me to be awake, as I know everything that can go wrong! Sedation will be a necessity for me.

[Roger Lee]

I didn't realize sedation was an option. They did give me some happy pills to relax me though. I'm thinking she needed me conscious so I could look up, down etc. during the positioning.

I still remember that childhood rhyme "stick a needle in your eye", hence my queasiness.

[Naam]

I didn't realize sedation was an option. They did give me some happy pills to relax me though. I'm thinking she needed me conscious so I could look up, down etc. during the positioning.

I still remember that childhood rhyme "stick a needle in your eye", hence my queasiness.

if sedation was an option why did the surgeon bother to wake me up when i dozed off?

[lopburi3]

Sedate - quiet - not dead to the world.

[Naam]

Sedate - quiet - not dead to the world.

touché!

[Naam]

had my "after cataract" laser treatment today. i took only a few minutes per eye but the procedure was more discomforting than the surgery. now the dilation is gone and i really feel like having new eyes. a little bother are the eye drops several time a day for 3-4 weeks.

[lopburi3]

Believe that extra procedure for posterior capsular opacification? For most it will just be the quick and simple cataract removal and IOL insertion you had before. Did you require the laser on both eyes?

[Naam]

Believe that extra procedure for posterior capsular opacification? For most it will just be the quick and simple cataract removal and IOL insertion you had before. Did you require the laser on both eyes?

yes, both eyes. in my case it was (according to the surgeon) necessary whereas in most cases it is an additional preventive procedure. medical literature mentions the problem as occuring after "normal" cataract surgery but i was informed before that surgery that a "YAG laser capsulotomy" has to be performed ~2 months after surgery.

addendum: total cost for both eyes 9,000 Baht.

Edited August 21, 2015 by Naam

[lopburi3]

Guess that must have been because of your situation, or the First Class queue - as it is not normal from any reading I have done - burning that hole can be done at any time if vision requires but the same wait and see (until have trouble seeing) criteria as for actual cataract seems to be normal - most people do not require from what I have read. Don't want people to feel they are missing out on anything.

[Naam]

Guess that must have been because of your situation, or the First Class queue - as it is not normal from any reading I have done - burning that hole can be done at any time if vision requires but the same wait and see (until have trouble seeing) criteria as for actual cataract seems to be normal - most people do not require from what I have read. Don't want people to feel they are missing out on anything.

got the same opinion like yours from a friend who is a medic. but i realised already yesterday evening and of course today that my vision has improved and that's what counts for me even if the improvement is based on imagination.

that i am poorer by 8,940 Baht will not cause my dogs going hungry to compensate the loss

[lopburi3]

Understand but there are extra risks involved so would not opt for it until needed myself - but there may have been conditions that made it advisable other than there knowing there was no baht shortage. Now you will have to start travelling around again to see all you have missed before. Caution - the ladies do seem to look better with the new eyes.

Unfortunately we reflect a much less attractive image in the mirror.

[thaibeachlovers]

I didn't realize sedation was an option. They did give me some happy pills to relax me though. I'm thinking she needed me conscious so I could look up, down etc. during the positioning.

I still remember that childhood rhyme "stick a needle in your eye", hence my queasiness.

Look up, down etc- WHAT????

Never did any of that in the ops I assisted with. Most ops were done with just drops and the patient is told to NOT move the eye at all during the procedure, but sometimes the anaethetist paralysed the eye so it couldn't move during the op. They must do things differently in Thailand.

When they do the op they remove the cataract through a small incision using a special machine to liquidise the old lens in the capsular bag and suck it out. Then they fold the new lens and insert it with a special injector. Once it's in the bag it's in, not normally necessary to reposition it, unless they made a mistake. Because it is all done through a very small incision there is no need for stitches.

Perhaps the new variable focal lenses introduced since I retired need a different technique.

NB the op is rather more complex than that, but I've simplified it to the basics. I'm sure they go into more detail on the internet if interested.

[lopburi3]

The multi focal and correcting lens I believe need to be exactly positioned (and can move and cause issues - why insurance does not cover them yet). I recall being told to look up during second operation (perhaps looked lower as remember light appeared to go lower and tried to follow).

[Roger Lee]

I didn't realize sedation was an option. They did give me some happy pills to relax me though. I'm thinking she needed me conscious so I could look up, down etc. during the positioning.

I still remember that childhood rhyme "stick a needle in your eye", hence my queasiness.

Look up, down etc- WHAT????

Never did any of that in the ops I assisted with. Most ops were done with just drops and the patient is told to NOT move the eye at all during the procedure, but sometimes the anaethetist paralysed the eye so it couldn't move during the op. They must do things differently in Thailand.

When they do the op they remove the cataract through a small incision using a special machine to liquidise the old lens in the capsular bag and suck it out. Then they fold the new lens and insert it with a special injector. Once it's in the bag it's in, not normally necessary to reposition it, unless they made a mistake. Because it is all done through a very small incision there is no need for stitches.

Perhaps the new variable focal lenses introduced since I retired need a different technique.

NB the op is rather more complex than that, but I've simplified it to the basics. I'm sure they go into more detail on the internet if interested.

Yes, I definitely was asked to look up, then down a few times, then of course keep both eyes open. The end result btw is amazing, great vision now.

[Naam]

Understand but there are extra risks involved so would not opt for it until needed myself - but there may have been conditions that made it advisable other than there knowing there was no baht shortage. Now you will have to start travelling around again to see all you have missed before. Caution - the ladies do seem to look better with the new eyes.

Unfortunately we reflect a much less attractive image in the mirror.

i didn't really have big vision problems, only used +1.25 for PC and +1.75 for reading. but the vision of my right eye became blurred overnight and when i went for a check-up i was diagnosed with cataract. my first thought was "BS!" and i even got angry because the eye specialist told me "overnight impossible, cataract takes years to develop." my answer was "i'm not yet senile and i even know the date when the blurring occured. going to have a second opinion." the second opinion was only a little different as far as the percentage was concerned.

so i decided "surgery it is".

Mrs: yada yada yakety-yak not in Thailand but Germany like your heart surgery!

me: are we the Naams or the al-Sauds? just flights and hotel more than total cost in Pattaya!

Mrs: if not Germany then Singapore!

we then flew to Singapore, listened to a lot of confusing info, returned after three days, i made an appointment with BPH and got it done.

have a follow up in two weeks, will ask the surgeon about "positioning the lens" and then report.

present status, no glasses neither for reading nor for computer. colours much brighter but extreme light sensitivity. latter all my life very strong, now unbearable without sunglasses even when cloudy.