Glasses

[anotheruser]

My eyesight is getting bad and I am going to apply for my driving license soon back home in the USA. I know they will probably want me to wear corrective lenses while I am driving. I don't need them for my everyday life so much. So how much does it cost for an eye exam and basically the cheapest glasses available in Bangkok. Am I better of waiting until I get to the USA to do this, I know these days it is pretty cheap there.

One thing is I need my license very quickly so I can drive around my Mother who has fallen ill lately. So I am thinking of dealing with the issue of my eyesight before I get home so I can take the driving test immediately. For anybody wondering, I can drive perfectly well but unfortunately my license expired after 20 years of being overseas. What a PITA to have to do it all over like I am 16 years old again.

[cdnvic]

Probably get better answers in the Health forum.

[malt25]

Two thoughts come to mind.

1. Google optometrists in Bangkok, find some clinics near you & e-mail & ask your questions.

2. Try walking into a clinic or two & ask about services & related costs.

That's what I'd be doing.

Cheers..... Mal.

[dddave]

If you want quick and inexpensive, there are a number of optical shops on Petchabury Rd Between Ratchathewee and Rachadameroen...same area as Pantip Plaza but on the opposite side. I used to use Paiboon optical, about 2 blocks up from Rathaathewee. They have an eye test facility and a person who administers the exam but I do not know what his actual qualifications are. The glasses I got there were accurately prescribed.

Like all optical shops, they have low price options but will try to trade you up at every turn, from frame to lenses. They will negotiate prices somewhat. Depending on the prescription and lens type, they usually take from one to three days.

Avoid the big chains like Top Charoen. Over the years, many people have recommended "Siam Optical", a small shop on Sukhumvit 23 (near Asok)

Edited June 6, 2016 by dddave

[Fookhaht]

If you want quick and inexpensive, there are a number of optical shops on Petchabury Rd Between Ratchathewee and Rachadameroen...same area as Pantip Plaza but on the opposite side. I used to use Paiboon optical, about 2 blocks up from Rathaathewee. They have an eye test facility and a person who administers the exam but I do not know what his actual qualifications are. The glasses I got there were accurately prescribed.

Like all optical shops, they have low price options but will try to trade you up at every turn, from frame to lenses. They will negotiate prices somewhat. Depending on the prescription and lens type, they usually take from one to three days.

Avoid the big chains like Top Charoen. Over the years, many people have recommended "Siam Optical", a small shop on Sukhumvit 23 (near Asok)

They will negotiate A LOT.

I got fitted for two pairs of prescription glasses a couple months ago (one sunglasses and one regular) at an optical shop in Big C. They totaled up the charges: 15,000 baht. I said "Sorry, but my budget will only allow for 8,000 baht." Answer: "OK, 8,000 baht." Done deal. Happy with my glasses.

Heck, maybe I should have gone for 4k?

[Sheryl]

Small optical shops (i.e. privately owned not part if a chain) as suggested in #4 are the best option. The exam is free and price of the glasses depends on what you choose, especially the frame. Just tell them you want as cheap as possible.

HOWEVER...you say your eye sight is "getting bad", deteriorations in eye site in middle age are seldom a matter of distance vision. More often it is loss of accomodation reflex, requiring the use of reading glasses - not relevant for driving. Or it may be cataracts, which glasses will not help.

[lujanit]

I respect Sherlys opinion however there is an alternative solution. If your eyes are 'bad' you need to see an opthapomigist not some person with unknown Q's in a street/mall optician shop. I have used Dr. Paradon at St. Louis Hospital. Excellent service and no referral to a particular glasses shop.

When you have the prescription visit zenniopitical.com

Then be happy

[anotheruser]

Small optical shops (i.e. privately owned not part if a chain) as suggested in #4 are the best option. The exam is free and price of the glasses depends on what you choose, especially the frame. Just tell them you want as cheap as possible.

HOWEVER...you say your eye sight is "getting bad", deteriorations in eye site in middle age are seldom a matter of distance vision. More often it is loss of accomodation reflex, requiring the use of reading glasses - not relevant for driving. Or it may be cataracts, which glasses will not help.

Thanks for the advice. I think I will wait until I get to the USA so I can get an expert opinion from an English speaking specialist. I am not in the mood to haggle for my eyesight. I am sure the Thai places would be fine but I am headed to the states in a few days anyway.

I can actually read just fine but think I will fail the vision test at the DMV. I wouldn't use glasses ordinarily only when I need to drive in the USA. I notice I can read the Thai characters on TV okay but at any distance those little squiggly lines go completely blurry.

Given what you said about it could be other issues makes me favor holding off and doing it back home.

Thanks for the replies everybody.

[oxo1947]

My Australian Driving license had run out by about 6 months when I went back last year-----so I got an international license here in case I needed it. (I didn't they renew in Oz up to 1 year of expiring date) but getting the international license took about 30 minutes.

.

After driving in Thailand for over 16 years I really don't think I would have passed the test in Oz----Thais are quite polite people, unless they are driving & I have picked up most of the bad habits................(let you into this space.....certainly not).....

Edited June 6, 2016 by oxo1947

[dddave]

Small optical shops (i.e. privately owned not part if a chain) as suggested in #4 are the best option. The exam is free and price of the glasses depends on what you choose, especially the frame. Just tell them you want as cheap as possible.

HOWEVER...you say your eye sight is "getting bad", deteriorations in eye site in middle age are seldom a matter of distance vision. More often it is loss of accomodation reflex, requiring the use of reading glasses - not relevant for driving. Or it may be cataracts, which glasses will not help.

Thanks for the advice. I think I will wait until I get to the USA so I can get an expert opinion from an English speaking specialist. I am not in the mood to haggle for my eyesight. I am sure the Thai places would be fine but I am headed to the states in a few days anyway.

I can actually read just fine but think I will fail the vision test at the DMV. I wouldn't use glasses ordinarily only when I need to drive in the USA. I notice I can read the Thai characters on TV okay but at any distance those little squiggly lines go completely blurry.

Given what you said about it could be other issues makes me favor holding off and doing it back home.

Thanks for the replies everybody.

I am getting close to a point where my glasses and prescription should be updated. I was in the USA a few months ago and visited a chain (Foreyes) where I had gotten glasses in the past. They used to have decent buy one, get one free promotions and their glasses had always proved durable.. By state law, they are not allowed to have in-house exams but referred me to an Optometrist conveniently in an office upstairs. The quote for just a basic eye exam was $129 and the least expensive multifocal lens/frame combo I could get would have been $240..."Sorry, no buy one, get one free any more." but they offered to discount the 2nd pair 25%.

I passed.

"I have used Dr. Paradon at St. Louis Hospital."

Useful information, thank you. St. Louis's website seems to be all in Thai now. Do you have contact information for Dr. Paradon? I would like to have an independent eye exam outside of a shop environment.

Edited June 6, 2016 by dddave

[Sheryl]

Actuall ythe doctor info on their website is in English and Thai. Go to the left hand side and click on "Doctor Search" then when the page comes up select English

[lopburi3]

A hospital visit to a full ophthalmologist MD here will be much less than an optometrist exam in the USA and they can provide a much better evaluation of your overall eye health. You can then buy glasses if required anywhere here or in USA.