Rutnin or not for new eye glasses?

[KVJ]

Hi All,

 

I'm coming to BKK for a few days and want to get a new pair of glasses made. I don't have a prescription so I thought I would go to Rutnin Eye Hospital to get one and then get them to make the lenses. I just got off the phone with them and they said it was 3000baht to see the Dr or 300 bath for a regular eye test.  3k seems a pretty pricey but I'm also wondering if 300 baht might be a bit basic? I have amblyopia (lazy eye) with differing issues in either eye so I'm not exactly a normal case but I don't feel I need to be checked for everything under the sun (cataracts etc) either. I do an intense amount of computer work and reading also.

 

I'm wondering whether I should pay up and see the dr for 3000baht, or take the standard eye test, or just go straight to one of the eye shops in town without a prescription and take my chances? If anyone has suggestions for good opticians in BKK I'd be very grateful. I have read from other threads that stand alone shops are better than the chains.

 

I can't use an online option unfortunately as I have a particular pair of frames I like.

 

Cheers.

 

 

[Forkinhades]

From my experience the 300 baht test (which is normally free) will be very basic indeed. They will just test for long or shortsighted, and not do your eyes individually.

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[Forkinhades]

^^^ Just to add, i now get my eyes tested in the UK, where the test can be free or up to £25

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[KVJ]

Thanks Forkinhades. I had a feeling it would be like that.

[lopburi3]

I would go with the 3k or whatever it actually turns out to be - as you mention you do have issues it would be good to check for all the normal things with a full exam.  Much better to find things when they are easily treatable.  

[dddave]

This past January, a comprehensive eye exam, not just vision at Rutnin cost B1300.  An appointment is recommended but you can walk in if you don't mind a possible long wait.

Several years ago, there was a thread on this forum complaining about service, prices and quality at the optical shop at Rutnin.  At least at that time, it was an independently operated  concession,  not a department of Rutnin.  I have had no personal experience with that shop.

I have written several posts in the last months recommending ordering online from Zenni Optical.  The attached thread may answer some of your questions.

 

[KVJ]

Thanks Dave. I did decide to go in the end and I can confirm the cost was 1,300 baht so I don't know what the phone operator was going on about. I found the service highly efficient and organised despite the large number of patients; I was even seen ahead of my appointment time.

 

Definitely recommended.

 

 

[Ramen087]

6 hours ago, KVJ said:

Thanks Dave. I did decide to go in the end and I can confirm the cost was 1,300 baht so I don't know what the phone operator was going on about. I found the service highly efficient and organised despite the large number of patients; I was even seen ahead of my appointment time.  Definitely recommended.

Glad it went well. Did you also order either frames or lenses??

[KVJ]

No didn't order lenses in the end because the price they quoted me for my rimless glasses was 4500baht. These particular ones are only computer glasses for wearing at home so I'm going to try Zenni online and pick up a cheap frame and lenses as I figure it will come to a smaller amount. I wish they had of put my PD on the prescription now though...

[lopburi3]

Have someone measure with you looking straight forward and then confirm yourself using mirror (a bit harder).  It is the mm distance between pupils.  Best to subtract one mm for computer use.

 

FYI:  I need correction for near vision and find cheap reading glasses from drug/food store works OK.  Buy for computer distance (less strong than for normal reading).

[simoh1490]

For comparison purposes: a full blown eye exam by an ophthalmic surgeon at a private hospital in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Ram, will cost about 1,800 baht - that includes dilation, full eye exam, examination of the inside of the eye, glaucoma check, prescription etc etc.

[Ramen087]

4 hours ago, KVJ said:

No didn't order lenses in the end because the price they quoted me for my rimless glasses was 4500baht. These particular ones are only computer glasses for wearing at home so I'm going to try Zenni online and pick up a cheap frame and lenses as I figure it will come to a smaller amount. I wish they had of put my PD on the prescription now though...

Thanks KJV... your PD ... could you define

[KVJ]

PD = Pupillory distance. As per Lopburi's instructions above and have done some youtubing so shouldn't be too tricky. Apparently you have to ask for it when you get your perscription as they don't normally give it as part of standard procedure.

 

 

[Ramen087]

Thank you. I will make a note to ask for it. have a good one mate.

[EcigAmateur]

On 5/31/2017 at 8:08 AM, simoh1490 said:

For comparison purposes: a full blown eye exam by an ophthalmic surgeon at a private hospital in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Ram, will cost about 1,800 baht - that includes dilation, full eye exam, examination of the inside of the eye, glaucoma check, prescription etc etc.

 

Is it similar to the one that the OP did for 1300 ?

Thanks.

 

 

[simoh1490]

4 minutes ago, EcigAmateur said:

 

Is it similar to the one that the OP did for 1300 ?

Thanks.

 

 

It sounds very similar although I've never been to Rutnin since I live in Chiang Mai. I have as complete an eye exam as I can possibly get at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital by seeing Dr Ratchada, an ophthalmic surgeon, having had eye exams every year for the past sixty years in countries all around the world, it's as comprehensive as I am ever likely to need - she photographs the inside of the eye and compares the image to a baseline taken six years ago to check and see if there's any changes.

[KittenKong]

On 31/05/2017 at 8:08 AM, simoh1490 said:

For comparison purposes: a full blown eye exam by an ophthalmic surgeon at a private hospital in Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Ram, will cost about 1,800 baht - that includes dilation, full eye exam, examination of the inside of the eye, glaucoma check, prescription etc etc.

 

The same complete test done in the UK at Boots by a fully qualified professional will be free or GBP10 or GBP20 (ie between 0B - 880B), depending on the promotion currently applied. I have my eyes tested there every two years.

 

Private medical services in Thailand are rarely cheap.

[simoh1490]

4 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

 

The same complete test done in the UK at Boots by a fully qualified professional will be free or GBP10 or GBP20 (ie between 0B - 880B), depending on the promotion currently applied. I have my eyes tested there every two years.

 

Private medical services in Thailand are rarely cheap.

I'm sure they're even cheaper in Zambia but this is Thailand of course hence there's not much relevance to the cost of an eye test in the UK. Plus the UK has socialised healthcare whereas Thailand's is private. Personally, I think circa THB 1,500 for a complete eye exam in Thailand represents good value, especially since it's been about that price for the past ten years, sadly for some, exchange rates haven't remained the same.

[Sheryl]

5 hours ago, KittenKong said:

 

The same complete test done in the UK at Boots by a fully qualified professional will be free or GBP10 or GBP20 (ie between 0B - 880B), depending on the promotion currently applied. I have my eyes tested there every two years.

 

Private medical services in Thailand are rarely cheap.

I doubt this is the same thing - vision test and glaucoma screening, perhaps, but not a full ophthalmic exam. That requires diliating the pupils the drops and then examination of the retina by a opthalmologist. Not going to happen in Boots.

[partington]

2 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I doubt this is the same thing - vision test and glaucoma screening, perhaps, but not a full ophthalmic exam. That requires diliating the pupils the drops and then examination of the retina by a opthalmologist. Not going to happen in Boots.

Yes Boots do the initial glaucoma test, and the retinal sensitivity  test, where you push a button when you see lights flashed in different areas of your visual field, as well as the usual lens prescription/vision test but will not do anything requiring pupil dilation.

 

However they will refer you to your GP if the glaucoma test suggests high ocular pressure, or there are deficiencies in sensitivity in parts of your retina, for further follow up.

[KittenKong]

On 16/11/2017 at 1:20 PM, Sheryl said:

Not going to happen in Boots.

 

It does, as mentioned by partington.

 

The (free/400B/800B) test in Boots is more complete than a 4000B test I had done at PIH, and it is performed by a fully qualified ophthalmologist, not some sort of assistant.

[KittenKong]

On 16/11/2017 at 7:43 AM, simoh1490 said:

I'm sure they're even cheaper in Zambia but this is Thailand of course hence there's not much relevance to the cost of an eye test in the UK. Plus the UK has socialised healthcare whereas Thailand's is private. Personally, I think circa THB 1,500 for a complete eye exam in Thailand represents good value, especially since it's been about that price for the past ten years, sadly for some, exchange rates haven't remained the same.

 

I'm not very interested in what happens in Zambia, which I doubt has the same level of trained professionals as the UK does.

 

The prices quoted for that test are in no way subsidised by the UK health service.

 

You are welcome to consider 1500B a good deal: I prefer to pay less and get more.

[simoh1490]

9 minutes ago, KittenKong said:

 

I'm not very interested in what happens in Zambia, which I doubt has the same level of trained professionals as the UK does.

 

The prices quoted for that test are in no way subsidised by the UK health service.

 

You are welcome to consider 1500B a good deal: I prefer to pay less and get more.

The point I was trying to make is the in the UK the tests are subsidised, as an over 65, mine are (or were) free.

[Sheryl]

 
It does, as mentioned by partington.
 
The (free/400B/800B) test in Boots is more complete than a 4000B test I had done at PIH, and it is performed by a fully qualified ophthalmologist, not some sort of assistant.

Is this Boots in Thailand or in UK? Haven't heard of Boots in Thailand doing things like this.

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[KittenKong]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Is this Boots in Thailand or in UK? Haven't heard of Boots in Thailand doing things like this.

 

Ah. I see the source of the confusion. Boots in the UK.

 

Does Boots Thailand do optical things at all? I always thought it was just an expensive pharmacy.

[KittenKong]

4 hours ago, simoh1490 said:

The point I was trying to make is the in the UK the tests are subsidised, as an over 65, mine are (or were) free.

 

Indeed, but not for ordinary people under 65 (and children etc). The prices I quoted are the full price with no subsidy. They are entirely Boots own promotions which is why they vary from time to time. Obviously they hope that after a test you may buy some new glasses or something from them, but there is no obligation to do so.

[EcigAmateur]

Hello,

 

What would be as good as Rutnin around Pattaya ? Anybody teste at one of the major hospitals ?

 

Thanks.

[partington]

1 hour ago, KittenKong said:

 

Ah. I see the source of the confusion. Boots in the UK.

 

Does Boots Thailand do optical things at all? I always thought it was just an expensive pharmacy.

 

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Is this Boots in Thailand or in UK? Haven't heard of Boots in Thailand doing things like this.

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Yes, apologies, it's definitely Boots in the UK I meant, not Thailand.

 

Also I may even be confusing with Specsavers as I did this one Christmas when I went back a few years ago, and now I'm second guessing myself if it was even Boots, I honestly don't remember..

 

However the only glaucoma test they did was the one where they puff some air at your eye, so nothing elaborate.

 

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, EcigAmateur said:

Hello,

 

What would be as good as Rutnin around Pattaya ? Anybody teste at one of the major hospitals ?

 

Thanks.

As good? No.

 

Not even half as good.

 

But if all you need is glaucoma screening and a vision test, any of the local hospitals will do provided they have an optho on staff.  PIH, Patataya Memorial and BPH all do. As does Samitivej Sri racha and Phyathai Sri Racha, and Queen Sirikit Hosp in Sattahip.

 

I've seen positive feedback on Dr. Chaiwat at Samitivej Sri Racha (Saturdays only I believe)

\https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/en/doctors/chaiwat-wongyaowarak/

 

Anything serious, go to Bangkok