Cataract surgery prices

[Sheryl]

I recently helped a Cambodian friend price cataract surgery here so thought I'd share what we learned.

 

Price per eye with  standard IOL as of December 2016 - this is the price of the surgery and lens, it does not include pre-op exam and labs, which are additional

 

• Top-end private hospitals (Bumrungrad etc) -  about 100K.
• St Louis Hospital (non-profit) - quoted 70K by email. In my experience they tend to quote a little high (and they may have included a night's stay in hospital, I didn't specify outpatient) so figure 65-68K
• Rutnin Hospital - 65K to be paid upfront (outopatient stay) but told there might be 1-2K in change once all was said and done.
• Local provincial hospital - estimated around 20K with a 3 month wait list.
• Local army hospital - estimated a little under 20K i.e. 18-19K.with a 1 month wait list.

 

She is scheduled at the army hospital on Jan 10th. No real price difference between the military hospital and the provincial hospital but in addition to much shorter wait list we were very, very favorably impressed with the doctor there, less so with the one at the provincial hosp. And they were overall less crowded, much more friendly (provincial hospital is so overwhelmed with crush of patients one can't really expect that) and agreed -- in fact requested -- to have me be in the OR with her for translation, which was very important to her as she speaks neither Thai nor English. 

 

This is the Prachinburi army hospital and as military hospitals go, not very large. I was surprised to note while there that they nonetheless provide hemodialysis.

[lopburi3]

Am rather surprised at that 70k quote from St Louis Hospital as both my wife and I had procedures done at Vejthani Hospital two years ago at 35k each eye with normal IOL and do not believe price should have increased much (although believe they also estimated a much higher price - 45 or 50k I believe prior to surgery).

[Sheryl]

Yes, I was also surprised as would have expected it to be less than Rutnin.  Possibly inflation due to email inquery...we didn't go in person.

 

I doubt Vejthani is still 35K though. Private hospital rates have gone through the roof in past few years.

[THAIPHUKET]

can anyone go the Military Hospital? Thais & Farang alike?

[Sheryl]

Yes. However, for Thais, it is free only for members of the military and their dependents. Other Thais would have to pay full price out of pocket, for which reason the majority go to regular government hospitals instead, rendering those much more severely crowded. (Which is not to say military hospitals are uncrowded -they are not - but it is a matter of degree).

 

For a foreigner, since we have to pay full price anyhow, the cost is generally the same at a military or regular government hospital.

[THAIPHUKET]

Less crowded plus , if true doctors should be less stress 

[isanbirder]

In Buriram, 20,000 at a private clinic

[fstarbkk]

I assume all the prices quoted are for each eye. Correct?

 

[Sheryl]

Yes. Per eye. And standard IOL only, progressive lenses would add considerably to the cost.

[fstarbkk]

On 12/28/2016 at 7:18 PM, Sheryl said:

Yes. Per eye. And standard IOL only, progressive lenses would add considerably to the cost.

 

Great, thank you Sheryl for this very useful info!

 

[Sheryl]

The surgery was performed yesterday and final tab, including post op meds, can to 16,500 baht. That does not include the pre-op tests and initial consultation, nor the follow up checks (all of 50 baht for those!).

 

It went very well. I was in the OR and able to observe everything. The amenities were much less than at a private hospital but the nuts and bolts medical care was flawless and the staff and surgeon clearly knew what they were doing.

 

Bandages came off today and she is seeing great - vision 20/25, minimal inflammation, healing well.

[Issangeorge]

Did she have to stay overnight. I have had two done at the Kalasin Government Hospital. First one they wanted me to check in the day before, out the day after. Ended up being admitted the day before, but over nighting in my apartment, did spend the second night in a private room. The second I was no longer living in Kalasin, so over nighted two nights. There was no waiting period to speak of for either, maybe a couple of weeks. The last one was about five years ago, and about ฿16,000.

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[Sheryl]

No, this was as an outpatient. But I gather that the Thai patients (who are all being treated free of charge) are admitted; in fact the doctor told me this was the first time they had done it as an outpatient. They were very nice and made every effort to help use keep the costs down, understanding that we had to pay out of pocket.

 

Why on earth one would admit someone to hospital for this, I c annto imagine, though.

[MMan]

Spent a good part of today at Rutnin Eye Hospital discussing and being tested for Cataract Surgery.  General exam, had my eyes scanned, vision checked, blood pressure checked, blood tests, heart test (my blood pressure was high so not sure if this was related to that) and general consultation with the specialist who would do the surgery (Dr. Roy, who others on here have recommended and I too was very favorably impressed with him).  Today cost about 4,000 THB, and they gave me the following prices for having the surgery done and IOL lenses inserted:

Standard Monofocal IOL Lenses
65,000 - 70,000 THB per eye
85,000 - 90,000 THB per eye with Toric lens to correct astigmatism

Multifocal IOL Lenses
100 ,000  - 110,000 THB per eye
120,000 - 140,000 THB per eye with Toric lens to correct astigmatism

With my current contact lenses I have a Toric lens in each eye.  However they said that does necessarily mean I would need a Toric IOL.  They will have to do another measurement to determine that.  But before they can do that measurement and to make it as accurate as possible, I have to stop wearing contact lenses for 5 days and rely on my glasses during that time.

 
Apparently Multifocal lenses have improved significantly in recent years.  I was told that Toric Multifocal lenses were not available a few years ago.  Also that 'halos' people see with today's Multifocal lenses are not as bad as 10 years ago and for most people are not a big deal.


 

[teddog]

14 hours ago, MMan said:

Spent a good part of today at Rutnin Eye Hospital discussing and being tested for Cataract Surgery.  General exam, had my eyes scanned, vision checked, blood pressure checked, blood tests, heart test (my blood pressure was high so not sure if this was related to that) and general consultation with the specialist who would do the surgery (Dr. Roy, who others on here have recommended and I too was very favorably impressed with him).  Today cost about 4,000 THB, and they gave me the following prices for having the surgery done and IOL lenses inserted:

Standard Monofocal IOL Lenses
65,000 - 70,000 THB per eye
85,000 - 90,000 THB per eye with Toric lens to correct astigmatism

Multifocal IOL Lenses
100 ,000  - 110,000 THB per eye
120,000 - 140,000 THB per eye with Toric lens to correct astigmatism

With my current contact lenses I have a Toric lens in each eye.  However they said that does necessarily mean I would need a Toric IOL.  They will have to do another measurement to determine that.  But before they can do that measurement and to make it as accurate as possible, I have to stop wearing contact lenses for 5 days and rely on my glasses during that time.

 
Apparently Multifocal lenses have improved significantly in recent years.  I was told that Toric Multifocal lenses were not available a few years ago.  Also that 'halos' people see with today's Multifocal lenses are not as bad as 10 years ago and for most people are not a big deal.


 

4

I'm considering having this done too, but Dr. Roy , would it be a Dr. Ronit Roy?   just curious

[Sheryl]

I believe he means Dr. Roy Chumdermpadetsuk

[MMan]

17 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I believe he means Dr. Roy Chumdermpadetsuk

Yes, Dr. Roy Chumdermpadetsuk.  He seems to work mainly out of Rutnin Eye Hospital, though his name also comes up on Samitivej Hospital's  and Bumrungrad Hospital's websites, so maybe works part time at those.  Received his medical education and did his residency in the US, and speaks flawless English.

[ukrules]

On 11/01/2017 at 9:34 PM, Sheryl said:

The surgery was performed yesterday and final tab, including post op meds, can to 16,500 baht. That does not include the pre-op tests and initial consultation, nor the follow up checks (all of 50 baht for those!).

 

It went very well. I was in the OR and able to observe everything. The amenities were much less than at a private hospital but the nuts and bolts medical care was flawless and the staff and surgeon clearly knew what they were doing.

 

Bandages came off today and she is seeing great - vision 20/25, minimal inflammation, healing well.

 

Interesting information, thanks for updating this.

 

I have on question though : Do they do only one eye at a time and what's the procedure if you need both eyes doing ?

 

[Sheryl]

It is usual to do one eye at a time and wait for the first to be fully healed before doing the second.

 

Eye has to be patched for 24 hours after the surgery, if you did both eyes you'd have a 24 hour period with no sight at all (not the only reason, but one of them.)

[ignis]

My Hospital I go all the way to Bangkok for past 4 years..  Red Cross Hospital....   Just got back from there a hour ago, the Dr said the Op cost 10,000 baht per eye  + the cost of lenses but gave no idea of the price of lenses...Guess that is yet another Dr..   Both eyes the same time = overnight stay....  have stayed there before and is 365 baht per night..   

 

Next Appointment is mid October..... right eye is OK, just the left is getting worse, but both have Cataracts  

[Sheryl]

No need to do the other eye now if its vision is still OK. Cataracts should be removed only when they are significantly impairing your vision.

 

The lens depending on type will likely add another 15k or more to the price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Langsuan Man]

Has anyone had cataract removal done in Pattaya ?

 

 

[Sheryl]

 

 

There have been members who had it done at Queen Sirikit in Sattahip,  BPH, PIH and Memorial. However the majority of TV members in Pattaya have opted to have it done in Bangkok, usually Rutnin, even after initial consultation in Pattaya.

 

There have been many accounts of doctors in private clinics and hospitals in Pattaya trying to push people to have surgery on cataracts not yet advanced enough to require surgery,  so be aware of that--  surgery is not indicated until visual impairment us affecting your daily life.  Also reports of hard sell on more expensive type of lens implant. Neither of these will occur at Queen Sirikit but waits will be long and doctor's interpersonal manner has been described as brusque. You'll get an accurate assessment of whether surgery is needed now at Quen Sirikit though so if there is any doubt on that point, a consultation there might be a good first step.

 

If it were me, I'd come to Rutnin. It costs less there than any of the private hospitls in Pattaya (but more then government).

 

A google search of "pattaya caatract site:thaivisa.com" will turn up many threads and relevant discussions

[Langsuan Man]

Thank you.  The "hard sell" is not limited to Thailand

 

Here in the US ophthalmologist  are akin to car salesmen in white coats and you are best off to obtain a second opinion before proceeding 

 

Especially problematic is the refusal of US insurance carriers and Medicare to cover the refraction portion of an eye exam for cataracts.  The only exception is after the removal then refraction is covered

[ivor bigun]

Yes here in Pattaya there is a place behind Big c central was told i needed surgery straight away that was 3 years ago .i get a regular 6 month appointment at Queen Sirikit still no need for surgery.as has been said wait longer but the service is very good and far cheaper.even if one of the doctors is a little brusque and you need a Thai speaker even though her english is perfect when you pay at her surgery in Pattaya [emoji16]

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[pattaya1234was]

Same experience in same clinic in Pattaya-behind Big C Extra

[userabcd]

About 4 years ago was seeing an Ophthalmologist at Samitivej in Thonglor, suddenly during one visit this doctor says I urgently need cataract surgery, I inquired why it was not urgent at the previous visit with him and he gave some vague answer. Made an appointment at Rutnin for a 2nd opinion and the Ophthalmologist said there was no urgency, 4 years later still no problem.

 

Many years ago at BNH, visited an opthalmologist for an eye exam as I felt I was seeing more flashes and floaters. The young doctor made the eye examination but I felt something was off about her eye examination compared to how all the other ophthalmologists had conducted the examinations. She diagnosed that I had a tear in my retina and that I needed immediate treatment that afternoon. Made an appointment at Rutnin for a 2nd opinion and it was found there was no tear to be treated. 8 years later still no problem.

 

One has to be careful with the doctors and if something feels a little off, get a 2nd opinion.

 

 

[watcharacters]

On 11/28/2017 at 9:48 PM, Sheryl said:

It is usual to do one eye at a time and wait for the first to be fully healed before doing the second.

 

Eye has to be patched for 24 hours after the surgery, if you did both eyes you'd have a 24 hour period with no sight at all (not the only reason, but one of them.)

 

4 hours ago, userabcd said:

About 4 years ago was seeing an Ophthalmologist at Samitivej in Thonglor, suddenly during one visit this doctor says I urgently need cataract surgery, I inquired why it was not urgent at the previous visit with him and he gave some vague answer. Made an appointment at Rutnin for a 2nd opinion and the Ophthalmologist said there was no urgency, 4 years later still no problem.

 

Many years ago at BNH, visited an opthalmologist for an eye exam as I felt I was seeing more flashes and floaters. The young doctor made the eye examination but I felt something was off about her eye examination compared to how all the other ophthalmologists had conducted the examinations. She diagnosed that I had a tear in my retina and that I needed immediate treatment that afternoon. Made an appointment at Rutnin for a 2nd opinion and it was found there was no tear to be treated. 8 years later still no problem.

 

One has to be careful with the doctors and if something feels a little off, get a 2nd opinion.

 

 

 

I'm pretty familiar with  floaters but would you please explain what you mean by flashes?

 

 

[watcharacters]

17 hours ago, Langsuan Man said:

Thank you.  The "hard sell" is not limited to Thailand

 

Here in the US ophthalmologist  are akin to car salesmen in white coats and you are best off to obtain a second opinion before proceeding 

 

Especially problematic is the refusal of US insurance carriers and Medicare to cover the refraction portion of an eye exam for cataracts.  The only exception is after the removal then refraction is covered

 

I won't agree  or disagree with you  Langsuan Man regarding doctors but I'll add that going to  a second ophthalmologist  would, using your words,  just be visiting a second car salesman.?

 

Without medical background such as that of Sheryl or having verified  reviews, we're  all forced to shoot from the hip to an extent.     Research is essential but ultimately, it pretty much boils down to the person or persons who perform any particular  procedure.

 

[userabcd]

1 hour ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

I'm pretty familiar with  floaters but would you please explain what you mean by flashes?

 

 

Seeing flashes ''of light'' in ones vision.

 

For info: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes/