A Good Experience at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital

[FolkGuitar]

I decided that I needed an eye examination. It had been two years since my last one, and I'd noticed that my eyeglasses just weren't doing what I needed them to do. In fact, it seemed to me that I could actually see better out of one eye without my glasses than with them! I didn't want to go to an optometrist this time. I wanted a more thorough examination. I wanted an ophthalmologist this time.

Being basically forgetful (but only of important stuff,) I forgot to call the hospital to inquire about clinic times or make an appointment, so this morning I decided to just walk in and try my luck. I brought a good book with me so I was covered if I had a long wait. I never took it out of my pack...

I walked in the front door and was accosted by one of six lovely young hostesses who asked how she could help. I told her (in English) that I wanted an eye examination. She smiled and said 'Please follow me.' I smiled back and muttered 'to the ends of the earth...' as she led me to the proper desk, explained in Thai what I wanted, smiled at me again and handed me off to a nurse who asked my name and birthday, and asked me to sit. I sat. I started to open my pack to get my book out, but she came over and asked me to follow her inside. handing me off the another nurse who took my height and weight (I suppose they are very necessary for eye exams) and asked me to sit in the seats outside her cubical. I sat. Once again I started to retrieve my book, but it never cleared my bag before another nurse came to lead me into the examination room. She did the glaucoma pressure test, and a quick, very basic 'look at the chart and read line 3, 4, and 5' sort of thing, noting my results. By then the doctor was in the room, looked at the preliminary notes and asked me (in English) about my eyes, and if I was having any specific problems. "Nope... I think I just need new glasses."

The doctor move me from machine to machine, blinding me with bright lights, red lights, green lights, and flashing lights, while she peered through the machines from the opposite side, finally proclaiming my eyes free from all evil spirits, then moving on to fitting me for a new prescription. Oddly enough, it turns out that my vision actually improved since my last prescription, which gives me hope for the future. I can now correct to 20/20 and 20/10, up from corrected 20/30 and 20/20. Happiness is!

The nurse lead me out to the cashier's window, handing me an envelop with my new prescription, and asking me to sit and wait for my number to be called. I sat. Once again, I made an effort to get to my book before my number was called, but alas... Up to the window, pay my 715 baht (600 baht for the Doctor's work, 115 baht for the nurses and use of hospital machinery,) and I was walking out the door less than 40 minutes after I walked in.

THAT is good service!

Edited July 28, 2015 by FolkGuitar

[evenstevens]

its very refreshing to read a complimentry post on ram hospital,

the eent clinic which u have seen today, are just part of a great bunch of dedicated ram staff who work there , my ear specialist dr chalerporn is a die hard liverpool suporter,and always has a chinwag on the E.P.L

not to mention keeping my very poor hearing impairment ticking along for around 7 yrs now

yes all kudos to the c/mai ram hospital.they deserve the praise u have given to them F/G nice one cobber

[bangmai]

Good success story. I paid 20 USD for just the vision check/prescription from an optometrist in Mexico. Your exam actually included a lot of pricey equipment.

[KhunOr]

You were lucky indeed.

You didn't mention the name of the doctor you saw. That would be useful.

Worth pointing out to anyone wishing to have their eyes tested in order to obtain a prescription that the RAM opthalmologist, Dr Rachada Siriwanasan does not normally offer this service herself. Simple eye examinations for lens prescriptions are performed by her assistant and you'll need to make an appointment for that, current waiting list one full month.

If on the other hand you have a medical condition that requires the services of an opthalmologist and possible treatment, Dr Rachada is the one.

[masuk]

I was steadily losing vision in one eye about 2 months back, and naturally was starting to get worried, My GP referred me to the ophthalmologist at RAM, which was late on a Sunday afternoon. I had the usual preliminary tests, then the first of a series of drops in my right eye.

I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university.

Much to my relief, I was told that the cloudiness in my eye was not unusual, having had a glaucoma operation a few years back, and it could soon be fixed with a bit of laser surgery.

I was told to report to the eye ward at Sriphat Hospital Tuesday morning, and I was all done with RAM. I could see why these appointments are made in the late afternoon, as the drops dilate the eye fully, and any sunlight would have been too painful to take.

When I got to Sriphat hospital, there was the usual formality of paying first, I was escorted up to the 12th floor, went through the usual drops in the eyes every 20 minutes, before I was ushered into the operating theatre. I was amazed at the speed this was done; sit in front of the machine, looking into the works, and in a couple of minutes of red flashing lights, and it was all done! Amazing.

Between RAM and Sriphat, they certainly deliver the goods. Total cost was 4800baht,

[FolkGuitar]

You were lucky indeed.

You didn't mention the name of the doctor you saw. That would be useful.

Worth pointing out to anyone wishing to have their eyes tested in order to obtain a prescription that the RAM opthalmologist, Dr Rachada Siriwanasan does not normally offer this service herself. Simple eye examinations for lens prescriptions are performed by her assistant and you'll need to make an appointment for that, current waiting list one full month.

If on the other hand you have a medical condition that requires the services of an opthalmologist and possible treatment, Dr Rachada is the one.

Mea culpa! I did leave out her name and I shouldn't have. She did a top-notch job every step of the way!

The opthalmologist was Dr Rachada Siriwanasan.

Let me illustrate 'top notch.' When fitting me for my prescription, after putting on the 'moon googles' for different lenses, she put one in each eye, adjusted the axis, and they were spot on. First time out of the box. Absolutely perfect. She did do a little bit of 'try this one, how about that one' with each eye, but it always came back to her first choice and axis setting. This blew me away. Usually optometrists spend 20 minutes trying to find the correct combination, and she hits it on the first try. One minute at he most! THAT is Skill with a Capital S!

[bangmai]

They just verify what the computer tells them.....that eliminates a lot of the trial and error. I may be mistaken, but I think the computer gives the axis, too.

[circusman]

I was steadily losing vision in one eye about 2 months back, and naturally was starting to get worried, My GP referred me to the ophthalmologist at RAM, which was late on a Sunday afternoon. I had the usual preliminary tests, then the first of a series of drops in my right eye.

I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university.

Much to my relief, I was told that the cloudiness in my eye was not unusual, having had a glaucoma operation a few years back, and it could soon be fixed with a bit of laser surgery.

I was told to report to the eye ward at Sriphat Hospital Tuesday morning, and I was all done with RAM. I could see why these appointments are made in the late afternoon, as the drops dilate the eye fully, and any sunlight would have been too painful to take.

When I got to Sriphat hospital, there was the usual formality of paying first, I was escorted up to the 12th floor, went through the usual drops in the eyes every 20 minutes, before I was ushered into the operating theatre. I was amazed at the speed this was done; sit in front of the machine, looking into the works, and in a couple of minutes of red flashing lights, and it was all done! Amazing.

Between RAM and Sriphat, they certainly deliver the goods. Total cost was 4800baht,

"I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university."

I was not aware they spoke English in Australia. I will have to listen closer next time one speaks. Ok,ok, I'm being mean.

[scottiejohn]

I was steadily losing vision in one eye about 2 months back, and naturally was starting to get worried, My GP referred me to the ophthalmologist at RAM, which was late on a Sunday afternoon. I had the usual preliminary tests, then the first of a series of drops in my right eye.

I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university.

Much to my relief, I was told that the cloudiness in my eye was not unusual, having had a glaucoma operation a few years back, and it could soon be fixed with a bit of laser surgery.

I was told to report to the eye ward at Sriphat Hospital Tuesday morning, and I was all done with RAM. I could see why these appointments are made in the late afternoon, as the drops dilate the eye fully, and any sunlight would have been too painful to take.

When I got to Sriphat hospital, there was the usual formality of paying first, I was escorted up to the 12th floor, went through the usual drops in the eyes every 20 minutes, before I was ushered into the operating theatre. I was amazed at the speed this was done; sit in front of the machine, looking into the works, and in a couple of minutes of red flashing lights, and it was all done! Amazing.

Between RAM and Sriphat, they certainly deliver the goods. Total cost was 4800baht,

"I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university."

I was not aware they spoke English in Australia. I will have to listen closer next time one speaks. Ok,ok, I'm being mean.

They do speak a form of English, It's just upside down!

Seriously tho; It is a pleasure to read a good positive post, well done folkguitar.

Edited July 29, 2015 by scottiejohn

[masuk]

I was steadily losing vision in one eye about 2 months back, and naturally was starting to get worried, My GP referred me to the ophthalmologist at RAM, which was late on a Sunday afternoon. I had the usual preliminary tests, then the first of a series of drops in my right eye.

I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university.

Much to my relief, I was told that the cloudiness in my eye was not unusual, having had a glaucoma operation a few years back, and it could soon be fixed with a bit of laser surgery.

I was told to report to the eye ward at Sriphat Hospital Tuesday morning, and I was all done with RAM. I could see why these appointments are made in the late afternoon, as the drops dilate the eye fully, and any sunlight would have been too painful to take.

When I got to Sriphat hospital, there was the usual formality of paying first, I was escorted up to the 12th floor, went through the usual drops in the eyes every 20 minutes, before I was ushered into the operating theatre. I was amazed at the speed this was done; sit in front of the machine, looking into the works, and in a couple of minutes of red flashing lights, and it was all done! Amazing.

Between RAM and Sriphat, they certainly deliver the goods. Total cost was 4800baht,

"I was soon checked in the machine they have for these things, the doctor speaking excellent English, having done post grad work at an Australian university."

I was not aware they spoke English in Australia. I will have to listen closer next time one speaks. Ok,ok, I'm being mean.

They do speak a form of English, It's just upside down!

Seriously tho; It is a pleasure to read a good positive post, well done folkguitar.

Speak up lads! can't understand you.

[JulieM]

I had the worst eye exam of my life at CM RAM. It took all of three minutes just to be told my current prescription was OK. It isn't. Same doctor. I was charged 1,200 baht.

[opalred]

i have been going to maerim general now about 2yrs for eye treatment

see dr every 2mnts

dr machines and 3lots drops every day for 2months 1100bt very cheap and good service

only trouble takes about half day but no problems as have plenty of time to look at the nurses cheers