long sightedness - what to do

[vento]

Im getting older, my near vision is getting worse. properly middle-age related and hopefully just "normal" long sightedness due to age.

Back home i know where to go and what to do and expect. but here, im not so sure. i would guess that i would start off with an test at a hospital, but then what?

I would like lenses if possible. So do the hospital just do the test and then i take the results to an shop, or what can/should i expect?

Im asking here, just to get a bit prepared so no one is taking me for a ride, which would be possible since i never owned a pair of glasses or lenses.

Any advice that might be helpfull for me in this process is highly appriciated.

Cheers

[orchidlady]

It would help if you say where you are located.

[Bredbury Blue]

Not sure where you are, but most opticians and hospitals can test your eyes, prescribe the glasses and sell them to you. If you have concerns use a hospital as a more knowledgeable medical person will be on hand if they have concerns about your eyesight or health. The opticians you see everywhere, blue and white shops called Top Charoen, are decent, but opticians here are ten a penny.

[KittenKong]

I find that glasses in Thailand are hugely overpriced, which probably explains the large number of expensive-looking opticians shops, none of which ever seem to have any customers.

So I get my full eye test done for free in the UK by a fully-qualified specialist and then get the cheapest glasses I can find there. When my prescription changes (which it does every couple of years), I get the man in First Optical in Pattaya to make new lenses for my old frames.

Another option, recommended by many, is to get glasses made online (China) once you have the prescription.

I dont think that the "eye-test" you will get in a shop here will be as extensive as the full eye-test that I get. I expect that a hospital here would do a more complete job, but they would surely charge top price for it also.

[vento]

sorry, im in bangkok, my initial plan was to goto bnh in sathorn or bumrunrad suk soi 1-3

Edited July 11, 2016 by vento

[vento]

but i guess that is my concern. if i buy lenses from a hospital, i mean, they could charge me 3x without i had any idea about it.

[Oxx]

In my opinion, no need to go to a hospital. I'd recommend the following optician. Very professional, English speaking, and conveniently located opposite Emporium.

http://boontengoptical.com/contactboontengo.html

They also have a few other branches around town, including a couple in hospitals, though I can't vouch for them.

[Sheryl]

If it is just reading glasses that you need, you can simply buy them from a street vendor or mall kiosk or at a Tesco lotus etc - just try on different strengths and see which ones you can read well with. Street vendors/kiosks that sell these usually have small print newspaper o hand for customers to refer to. Not much more than 100 baht a pair.

If you are concerned that it could be more than this, go to Rutnin Eye hospital for check up and exam - they will also do things like check the pressure in your eye and examine for cataracts which an opticiancannot. http://www.rutnin.com/eng/service.php

If you go to Rutnin and the visit results in a prescription for reading glasses only, still suggest buying them outside on the cheap. Only if there is also astigmatism, or need for bifocals, would it back sense to buy from a shop or hospital.

Reading glasses prescriptions typically increase with age so whatever you get may only suit for a year or two and tne you'll need stronger - yet another reason not to spend too much if reading glasses are all you need.

[vento]

If it is just reading glasses that you need, you can simply buy them from a street vendor or mall kiosk or at a Tesco lotus etc - just try on different strengths and see which ones you can read well with. Street vendors/kiosks that sell these usually have small print newspaper o hand for customers to refer to. Not much more than 100 baht a pair.

If you are concerned that it could be more than this, go to Rutnin Eye hospital for check up and exam - they will also do things like check the pressure in your eye and examine for cataracts which an opticiancannot. http://www.rutnin.com/eng/service.php

There is a significant difference on each eye, so i think i better go get it checked. I guess that also means the street vendor reading glasses is out of the question.

actually i would prefer lenses if possible, just seems much easier, but maybe thats just me.

I will look into the Rutnin hospital, it seems like its specialised which coule be an good idea.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

If you haven't had a real good eye exam by an real ophthalmologist in a long time, I recommend going to Rutnin, if only to rule out glaucoma. Few symptoms for glaucoma irreversible but progression can be pretty well halted with medicines when identified.

Then get your prescription for lenses and buy glasses elsewhere.

FYI, I've been a glaucoma customer at Rutnin for 20+ years now. Last checkup was this past Saturday, IOP 9 left, 9 right, fine!

Mac

[MissAndry]

If it is just reading glasses that you need, you can simply buy them from a street vendor or mall kiosk or at a Tesco lotus etc - just try on different strengths and see which ones you can read well with. Street vendors/kiosks that sell these usually have small print newspaper o hand for customers to refer to. Not much more than 100 baht a pair.

If you are concerned that it could be more than this, go to Rutnin Eye hospital for check up and exam - they will also do things like check the pressure in your eye and examine for cataracts which an opticiancannot. http://www.rutnin.com/eng/service.php

There is a significant difference on each eye, so i think i better go get it checked. I guess that also means the street vendor reading glasses is out of the question.

actually i would prefer lenses if possible, just seems much easier, but maybe thats just me.

I will look into the Rutnin hospital, it seems like its specialised which coule be an good idea.

You buy two pairs with the same frame and the vendor swaps the lens.

It's really cheap and works well.

[coops]

First of all, understand that you are NOT long sighted (from what you describe) - what you have is presbyopia.

Now you know what you actually have, you can google it for more information.

https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/presbyopia

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/presbyopia.htm

If your long distance vision is still ok, then a cheap pair of reading glasses for out of the house may be all you need, with a 'proper' pair (ie lenses made to your prescription) for when you want to sit down and read for a length of time.

If your vision needs correction for distance as well as for the presbyopia, then the usual thing nowadays is varifocal aka progressive lenses where (to put it simply) the reading correction is the lower part of the lens, intermediate in the middle and distance vision on the higher section of the lens.

[tifino]

luckily OP is only concerned for loss of his near-vision, so until a test is done, any other condition thrown in by us, from the armchair, is going to cloud the issue, tho' I do have one to add at the bottom.

Anyhow, going along to any retailer that has selections of reading specs: just buy up some individual pairs that match each of your respective eyes.

Simply remember to get ones of identical frames, that enable mix'n'match of lenses.

I wasn't so lucky as OP.

My decades in the tropics resulted in cataracts, with it affecting my long (driving) vision moreso than near... but they do affect near vision to an extent...

[gandalf12]

Hold books on a selfie stick?

[Sheryl]

First of all, understand that you are NOT long sighted (from what you describe) - what you have is presbyopia.

Now you know what you actually have, you can google it for more information.

https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/presbyopia

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/presbyopia.htm

If your long distance vision is still ok, then a cheap pair of reading glasses for out of the house may be all you need, with a 'proper' pair (ie lenses made to your prescription) for when you want to sit down and read for a length of time.

If your vision needs correction for distance as well as for the presbyopia, then the usual thing nowadays is varifocal aka progressive lenses where (to put it simply) the reading correction is the lower part of the lens, intermediate in the middle and distance vision on the higher section of the lens.

Above is correct. The difficulty with near vision that occurs with age is not the same ads far-sightedness, it is due to a failure of the accomodation reflex (i.,e. the eye no longer makes the necessary adjustments from far to near vision). For that reason, contact lenses are not a good solution - if they correct enough to enable you to read, you will then be unable to see at a distance. To see what I mean, just put on a pair of reading glasses in a store and then try to look up and across the room.

The only thing that might work in terms of contact lenses would be "monovision" i.e. a lens in one eye only so that one eye has close vision and one eye has distance vision. Most people find it easier to just use reading glasses.

[MW72]

I went to a place at Mahatun Plaza. Just along from Sukhumvit. Lek Optical. I would highly recommend them.

I got glasses around 10 years ago. Around 8 years ago I had laser surgery. I have now had to admit defeat and get glasses again as my right eye has deteriorated so much. My left is is still quite good but not 100%.

I went to 2 different optitions at Esplanade on Ratchada. 1st one was pretty thourough but when she put the lenses in the test pair of glasses something wasn't right. I didn't feel comfortable. That was the end of the eye test. The lady didn't speak much English and I couldn't get across that the lenses didn't feel right. Went to another place in the same mall who gave me the most basic eye test then told me my prescription and expected my to buy glasses just from that. No testing lenses to see what was right for me.

Later i was in Mahatun Plaza to get some translation work done. I had 20 mins to waste and popped into Lek Optical. The guy in there was briliant. He did evrrything I would have expected. Tested my eyes on the machine then tried me with different lenses. Once he had determined which lenses I needed he put them in a test pair of glasses and when I tried them on he asked many questions and adjusted each lense until I was 100% happy. His English was great and it made everything so much easier. They are not cheap and I paid 8,000 THB for my glasses which had Nike frames. I'm sure I could have got them cheaper in the UK but I am not in the UK and was happy to pay a bit over the odds as the people in the shop made me feel comfortable and I could communicate well with them.

Like you I have no probkem seeing things at a distance but close up I struggle. My glasses have made a huge difference and will help me a lot when I return to work.

I have attached a photo of rhe business card they gave me

Good luck.

Edit to add that they do lenses also.

Edited July 11, 2016 by MW72

[MichaelSong]

are there lenses that automatically turn pics 90 dgr ?

[dotpoom]

I know you said you prefer lenses but I just went to an optical shop and got bifocals with photo lenses (sun glasses when outdoors).

[williet98248]

luckily OP is only concerned for loss of his near-vision, so until a test is done, any other condition thrown in by us, from the armchair, is going to cloud the issue, tho' I do have one to add at the bottom.

Anyhow, going along to any retailer that has selections of reading specs: just buy up some individual pairs that match each of your respective eyes.

Simply remember to get ones of identical frames, that enable mix'n'match of lenses.

I wasn't so lucky as OP.

My decades in the tropics resulted in cataracts, with it affecting my long (driving) vision moreso than near... but they do affect near vision to an extent...

I wasn't aware that where you live resulted in cataracts. Cataracts are age related or caused by an actual traumatic injury to the eye. Just getting older leads to cataracts. More than 50% of persons over 65 develop cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens, affecting both near and far vision and eventually, without surgery, the patient will be blind. I had my cataract surgery at age 69. The OP is concerned with his near vision which is also age related as the muscles that change the shape of the eye begin to atrophy and the focal length of the eye cannot be changed to accommodate near and far vision. Usually solved by reading lenses but he should get a full eye exam to rule out diseases, glaucoma and cataracts and get a prescription if necessary. If necessary to buy prescription glasses he should shop around or can buy online for a reasonable price.

[chicowoodduck]

Just move closer to things you want and need....simple...?

[BadBouy]

I find that glasses in Thailand are hugely overpriced, which probably explains the large number of expensive-looking opticians shops, none of which ever seem to have any customers.

So I get my full eye test done for free in the UK by a fully-qualified specialist and then get the cheapest glasses I can find there. When my prescription changes (which it does every couple of years), I get the man in First Optical in Pattaya to make new lenses for my old frames.

Another option, recommended by many, is to get glasses made online (China) once you have the prescription.

I dont think that the "eye-test" you will get in a shop here will be as extensive as the full eye-test that I get. I expect that a hospital here would do a more complete job, but they would surely charge top price for it also.

This is the main reason glasses are so expensive.

[oxo1947]

luckily OP is only concerned for loss of his near-vision, so until a test is done, any other condition thrown in by us, from the armchair, is going to cloud the issue, tho' I do have one to add at the bottom.

Anyhow, going along to any retailer that has selections of reading specs: just buy up some individual pairs that match each of your respective eyes.

Simply remember to get ones of identical frames, that enable mix'n'match of lenses.

I wasn't so lucky as OP.

My decades in the tropics resulted in cataracts, with it affecting my long (driving) vision moreso than near... but they do affect near vision to an extent...

If cataracts are dramatically affecting your life..........get your lenses replaced, I did 8 years ago, never needed glasses since..............

Edited July 12, 2016 by oxo1947

[sometimewoodworker]

You should have an eye test to check things other than vision, glaucoma, cataracts etc

However if you are just longsighted then prescription lenses are very likely to be unnecessary just try the +1, +1.5, +2, +2.5 reading glasses and if they work for you then you shouldn't need to pay more than about $10 per pair

I used DX.com and search Reading Eyeglasses

[jak2002003]

Simply go a an optician. They all do eye exams and have the proper machines to test for any eye diseases. These test are usually free.

Then choose your lenses or glasses. Glasses are not always expensive, often they have promotions. I always avoid the designer frames, which are the ones that always cost the most.

[tifino]

luckily OP is only concerned for loss of his near-vision, so until a test is done, any other condition thrown in by us, from the armchair, is going to cloud the issue, tho' I do have one to add at the bottom.

Anyhow, going along to any retailer that has selections of reading specs: just buy up some individual pairs that match each of your respective eyes.

Simply remember to get ones of identical frames, that enable mix'n'match of lenses.

I wasn't so lucky as OP.

My decades in the tropics resulted in cataracts, with it affecting my long (driving) vision moreso than near... but they do affect near vision to an extent...

I wasn't aware that where you live resulted in cataracts. Cataracts are age related or caused by an actual traumatic injury to the eye. Just getting older leads to cataracts. More than 50% of persons over 65 develop cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens, affecting both near and far vision and eventually, without surgery, the patient will be blind. I had my cataract surgery at age 69. The OP is concerned with his near vision which is also age related as the muscles that change the shape of the eye begin to atrophy and the focal length of the eye cannot be changed to accommodate near and far vision. Usually solved by reading lenses but he should get a full eye exam to rule out diseases, glaucoma and cataracts and get a prescription if necessary. If necessary to buy prescription glasses he should shop around or can buy online for a reasonable price.

Age-related is the most common blame, but also can be attributed to long exposure to UV light, which is what mine was linked to - after decades outside on the military airfield tarmacs in the tropics

[tifino]

luckily OP is only concerned for loss of his near-vision, so until a test is done, any other condition thrown in by us, from the armchair, is going to cloud the issue, tho' I do have one to add at the bottom.

Anyhow, going along to any retailer that has selections of reading specs: just buy up some individual pairs that match each of your respective eyes.

Simply remember to get ones of identical frames, that enable mix'n'match of lenses.

I wasn't so lucky as OP.

My decades in the tropics resulted in cataracts, with it affecting my long (driving) vision moreso than near... but they do affect near vision to an extent...

If cataracts are dramatically affecting your life..........get your lenses replaced, I did 8 years ago, never needed glasses since..............

I went down the I.O.L path, but luckily only the one eye, the worst was done.

It now focuses no nearer than the Moon

the other is now my near vision tool

[oxo1947]

If cataracts are dramatically affecting your life..........get your lenses replaced, I did 8 years ago, never needed glasses since..............

I went down the I.O.L path, but luckily only the one eye, the worst was done.

It now focuses no nearer than the Moon

the other is now my near vision tool

Wow---sorry to hear that, did you pick the lenses you wanted , or just replaced them with a normal lens, I had mine flown in from Texas , the only draw back I had was that everything was so bright & colourful after---& I was refurbishing a condo at the time.....regret the colour scheme now.

[how241]

Stay from the designer frames if you are concerned about price.

[Shiver]

Possible health issues aside, which I'll sidestep since I have no experience of opticians, I would if possible use some cheap glasses from the market just for when needed like reading a label that is about 3point in height and printed on gold foil labels in low light levels (seems to be ever more popular these days). I've avoided assistance as long as I could, as I don't want to train my eyes/brain to start thinking of that as normal and speed up progress. I actually use a magnifying glass instead normally if it's just something for a few seconds rather than reading books. I can see fine at a distance, but my near vision seems to fail at around 8-10" from my nose (I rarely use that distance, it's more computer screens for me, so I guess I've been lucky to get 34 years, the first 30 of which everything worked perfectly). It's one of those things I want to 'look' into at some point on my long list of 'things to study'. I did try some pinhole glasses at one point, and they are amazing (and cheap). You can actually put your hand on your nose, or closer and look between the finger prints and see stuff you've never seen before, but limited in function due to cutting out a lot of the light and only allowing direct light in that doesn't need a focal point. Also they're not safe for things that need peripheral vision such as driving. They have no lense by the way, just pin holes in black plastic.

[chubby]

You should undergo an eye exam with dilation every two to four years from age 40 to 54, and every one to three years from age 55 to 64. People age 65 and older should go every year or two depending on their eye health and other factors. If you have diabetes or a family history of eye problems, you may need more frequent checkups. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/11/best-protection-for-eyes/index.htm

why don't you state your age.

good chance you just need readers, but go once, if you want, then as above, YMMV