Can anyone recommend a good Opticians?

 

Thanks 

Be aware that Optician is a new field in Thailand with very few actually medically trained:  most eyesight testing is normally done by opthamologists in a hospital setting.  

Do you want a optometrist or a ophthalmologist?

 

As ubonjoe says the word is optometrist for the new field here - which believe is what you mean when you say optician (the actual maker).  But perhaps I am wrong and you just want glasses made (in which case mail order from Zenni is my choice).  

https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132

4 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

As ubonjoe says the word is optometrist for the new field here - which believe is what you mean when you say optician (the actual maker).  But perhaps I am wrong and you just want glasses made (in which case mail order from Zenni is my choice).  

https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132

The difference is defined here. http://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-doctor/choose.htm

For value I go to the student market down the little soi nearly opposite CMU front gates.

There are about four glasses shops there, very good prices, I think I paid 450baht all in last time.

They test your eyes and get them made up in fifteen minutes.

I always order simple lenses no fancy coatings if they get a scratch it's 25 baht for a new pair.

Vision Center a couple of hundred yards toward the moat from UN Irish.

Very good 'Optician' with the necessary specialist equipment.

 

john

Wherever you go here, DON'T give them your prescription or look at your current glasses.

 

Let them do the test from 'scratch' and not guess. Take your time and compare their  prescription

against your current lens, and if you have nothing much to do get your vision tested in 2 or 3

places, it can be an interesting experience.

 

In all cases don't give them your current glasses to look at or your Rx.

9 hours ago, cheeryble said:

For value I go to the student market down the little soi nearly opposite CMU front gates.

There are about four glasses shops there, very good prices, I think I paid 450baht all in last time.

They test your eyes and get them made up in fifteen minutes.

I always order simple lenses no fancy coatings if they get a scratch it's 25 baht for a new pair.

Didn't know there was a market there, can I ask what else is sold there and where specifically the market is, as I am not familiar with that end of town, thanks

You say 'opposite the CMU front gates'.  That would be on Huay Kaew Road, right?  

I usually get them from Temple market fairs and at 200baht a pair, I'll get three pairs made each trip.

The optical eye testing machines used aren't ever precise so I get them to additionally use the interchangeable lens frame (below) as a final check.

 

30 minutes later, all set for another year.

I normally go to one of the big chains, they always seem to have some deal on and I usually get two pairs of glasses with frames and lenses for around 5 to 6k which seems very reasonable to me.  

13 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Vision Center a couple of hundred yards toward the moat from UN Irish.

Very good 'Optician' with the necessary specialist equipment.

 

john

The very best IMO.I wasted quite a lot of money with some other options around town which seem to be mainly franchises and their ploy is to sell you up to a more expensive pair.Visions Centres equipment and expertise is second to none as been expressed in many threads previously on this subject and Vision Centre is not expensive.

Thanks for the tip, I will pop in there this week.

definitely Vision Center. Might be a bit pricey but he has the right equipment and expertise in my opinion. i went to him long ago. went to others cause i figured he was a bit too expensive. back to him after many years and realisation that i had some really bad prescription glasses done by inexperienced shops .just to save some money. 

49 minutes ago, tigerbeer said:

definitely Vision Center. Might be a bit pricey but he has the right equipment and expertise in my opinion. i went to him long ago. went to others cause i figured he was a bit too expensive. back to him after many years and realisation that i had some really bad prescription glasses done by inexperienced shops .just to save some money. 

Not so sure he is pricey.Last visit 2 years ago for replacement  he asked me would I like to keep the frames I had. I said ok and he just scanned them on his computer and a few days leter I went back and he fitted the new lens while I waited.For my graduated lenses I think it was around 8,000 baht.If you want new frames theres a few 100 to choose from but it saved me a few baht by him being honest and helpful.

Vision was perfect.RAM Hospitals prescription was way out

Just now, Sparkles said:

Not so sure he is pricey.Last visit 2 years ago for replacement  he asked me would I like to keep the frames I had. I said ok and he just scanned them on his computer and a few days leter I went back and he fitted the new lens while I waited.For my graduated lenses I think it was around 8,000 baht.If you want new frames theres a few 100 to choose from but it saved me a few baht by him being honest and helpful.

Vision was perfect.RAM Hospitals prescription was way out

 

thats really good. no point going anywhere else. he only accepts cash however. no credit cards. i have three kids all of whom wear glasses.

Dr Rachada at CM RAM is my first choice, Vision Centre would be my number two choice.

Didn't know there was a market there, can I ask what else is sold there and where specifically the market is, as I am not familiar with that end of town, thanks

Mostly girls clothes glasses and frenchfries.

It's almost opposite CMU gates on Huay kaew


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3 hours ago, chiang mai said:

Dr Rachada at CM RAM is my first choice, Vision Centre would be my number two choice.

Vison Centre's equipment for testing is far superior and extensive to RAM'S unless they have upgraded it.

I didnt see Dr Rachada but the prescription I paid for wasn't even close to being correct.

Also Vision Centre is a one stop shop and you dont pay for the testing only the product you may purchase.

The owner is highly experienced,told me is ready to retire,   I sincerely hope not 

49 minutes ago, Sparkles said:

Vison Centre's equipment for testing is far superior and extensive to RAM'S unless they have upgraded it.

I didnt see Dr Rachada but the prescription I paid for wasn't even close to being correct.

Also Vision Centre is a one stop shop and you dont pay for the testing only the product you may purchase.

The owner is highly experienced,told me is ready to retire,   I sincerely hope not 

 

RAM/Rachada for exam and prescription, Vision Centre for making and selling.

 

When was the last time Vision Centre dilated your pupils and looked for disease and when did they last take a picture of the inside of your eye to compare against the previous year epicentre to check for damage caused by diabetes?

 

An Ophthalmic Surgeon outstrips an Optometrist every time when it comes to eye exams, regardless of what gadgets they own!

 

 

On 05/12/2016 at 8:20 PM, jonwilly said:

Vision Center a couple of hundred yards toward the moat from UN Irish.

Very good 'Optician' with the necessary specialist equipment.

 

john

They are the best ones I have come across as well.

14 hours ago, chiang mai said:

 

RAM/Rachada for exam and prescription, Vision Centre for making and selling.

 

When was the last time Vision Centre dilated your pupils and looked for disease and when did they last take a picture of the inside of your eye to compare against the previous year epicentre to check for damage caused by diabetes?

 

An Ophthalmic Surgeon outstrips an Optometrist every time when it comes to eye exams, regardless of what gadgets they own!

 

 

So enlighten me to how the prescription from RAM that I took to Vision Centre was was so out of whack.

1 minute ago, Sparkles said:

So enlighten me to how the prescription from RAM that I took to Vision Centre was was so out of whack.

 

I dunno, it sounds like somebody either got it wrong or was telling porkies. Don't get me wrong I like VC and I have my glasses made there but I always use Dr Ratchada for the exam and the prescription. How far out of whack did VC tell you your prescription was?

There can be errors made and eyes can change from day-to-day but if you did not have prescription made perhaps it would not have been that much out of whack as it might appear by the numbers alone.

 

The issue in Thailand is that very few shops have optometrists as this was not a profession until very recently and there is a severe shortage.  So often any testing is done by those without formal degree training/testing; so they may be great or they may be bad.  Wiki

Quote

Nowadays, the number of practicing optometrists in Thailand is still less than one hundred. However, it has projected that the number of practicing optometrists in Thailand will greatly increase within the next ten years. In theoretical scenario, the number of optometrists should be able to meet minimal public demands around 2030 or earlier.

 

9 minutes ago, chiang mai said:

 

I dunno, it sounds like somebody either got it wrong or was telling porkies. Don't get me wrong I like VC and I have my glasses made there but I always use Dr Ratchada for the exam and the prescription. How far out of whack did VC tell you your prescription was?

We he set the machine thingy up to RAM's prescription and my vison was totally blurred,then he went about setting it to the correct no's.I can't remember what they were but the end result, when he fitted the new lenses, to my existing frames, was perfect.In him I trust.

 

As an aside I have several pairs of old glasses I have been carting around for years, is there anywhere they can be dropped off to help people that are struggling without them.In fact amongst the expat community there must be 100's like me.Maybe a project for the Expats Club or City Life Magazine.

any comments on the terrible reviews Zenni seems to be getting lately ?

 

they are cheap enough to be throw away , but not worth the hassle if you need the glasses and keep getting "duds"

On 12/6/2016 at 5:43 AM, stament said:

Didn't know there was a market there, can I ask what else is sold there and where specifically the market is, as I am not familiar with that end of town, thanks

There are 3 markets starting right next-door to MAYA and going on up to the entrance of CMU (all on the opposite side of the road of course). One is called Talaat Malin. Really there is nothing but student clothing and numerous eateries catering to students. Yes there are a couple of optical shops here and there, a decent pet shop......that's about it.

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

There can be errors made and eyes can change from day-to-day but if you did not have prescription made perhaps it would not have been that much out of whack as it might appear by the numbers alone.

 

The issue in Thailand is that very few shops have optometrists as this was not a profession until very recently and there is a severe shortage.  So often any testing is done by those without formal degree training/testing; so they may be great or they may be bad.  Wiki

 

 

Wow, less than 100, that's an eye opener, hard to see why that's allowed (no puns intended).

1 hour ago, oldcarguy said:

any comments on the terrible reviews Zenni seems to be getting lately ?

 

they are cheap enough to be throw away , but not worth the hassle if you need the glasses and keep getting "duds"

I admit have not used for several years but all my orders were fine and exactly what I had ordered - and ordered at least 5 times over the years (before and after IOL surgery).