Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Medical issues, doctors, dentists, opticians and hospitals in Hua Hin and Thailand.
Ken57
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Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by Ken57 »

My wife is visiting Thailand in a few months time, she wants to purchase some prescription spectacles as gifts for her Thai relatives.
( I have been told that prescription glasses are more expensive in thailand compared to the UK)

Can anyone tell me please about their experience regarding
a) getting a reliable eyesight test prescription
b) using it to order/purchase some everyday basic spectacles
c) typical costs
d) any recommendations


As a point of interest I have been ordering my spectacles in the UK via an internet based
mail order company who specialise in good value prescription glasses their top price is £35 a pair
including a basic prescription ( not bi focal or above a certain value of correction)


My wife always has two pairs a year one pair prescription & one pair prescription sunglasses total
cost including UK delivery £65.

Every year she returns home she passes on her previous years spectacles to anyone who wants them
( there is always a queue )
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by hhfarang »

I would use Dr. Pirait (sp?) at his clinic a few doors south of the Market Village Shopping Mall. He is the only Ophthalmologist in town I think (other than maybe in Bangkok Hospital). They are better than optometrists because they test for eye diseases as well as adjusting your prescription. I think his prices are pretty much the same as the myriad of eyeglass vendors in town. Search around on the forum and you will find him highly recommended.
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by magobligin »

I would heartily second hhfarang's recommendation of Dr. Pairat as I have attended him for the last 8 years or so and find him highly professional and fair in his costs.
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by HHTel »

As said above, Dr Pairat is the guy to see (excuse the pun). For one thing, he's honest. I think the frame sellers in the town will always recommend glasses whether you need them or not. A few years ago, someone put it to the test. Went to Top Choroen (or the like), was told he needed glasses, went to Dr. Pairat who, after testing his eyes, told him that he didn't need glasses as his vision was fine.

I recently had cataract ops in both eyes performed by Dr. Pairat. I'm now living in a whole new world of HD and colours. I can read the smallest print in the Bangkok Post without glasses!
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by lomuamart »

Possibly. it would be better to get a check-up back home first.
That's what I did earlier this year when back in the UK.
I used Boots and they seemed to be pretty professional - ie glaucoma, all round vision etc etc.
I walked in to an optician here and they didn't even understand astigmaism.
So, the doctor mentioned above is probably the best bet,
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by hhinner »

Having used Top Charoen a couple of times I certainly wouldn't recommend them. Especially for prescription sunglasses - "yes sir, we have to get proper tinted lenses from Bangkok as we only have coated here" - and the colour was faded inside 6 months. In fact I'd be very interested if anyone has a recommendation for where to get good polaroid prescription sunglasses at an uninflated price. (Yeah, I know - UK, US, Aus, etc.).
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by Ken57 »

Thank For the information regarding Dr Pairat, after googling it seems that Dr Pairat is based in the Hua Hin District. My wifes two sisters are in the Nontharburi District about 40 mins from Bangkok.

Can any readers of this forum recommend any reliable Eye testing professionals in/around Bangkok.?
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by richard »

In that case the Rutnin Eye Hospital in BK
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by dtaai-maai »

Ken57 wrote:... after googling it seems that Dr Pairat is based in the Hua Hin District.
Here on the Hua Hin forum you tend to get Hua Hin information! :laugh: :laugh:
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huahin4ever
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by huahin4ever »

Can someone confirm that Mr. Pairat is still doing business in Hua Hin, and if so, where is his shop? Google Maps link appreciated if he's still in business.

I guess before asking here I should've asked my wife first, because she confirmed his clinic is still there. And I can see his sign using Google Earth/Street Photo (file too large to attach).
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by Big Boy »

Yes he's still in business, and doing a wonderful job on my eyes.

Don't really need a map, just come out of Market Village, turn right and he's just a couple of shops along.
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by lomuamart »

Must admit that I've have a slightly different experience with the doctor.
A couple of years ago, I went there for a sight test which was done well and then there was a full eye check (I never asked for that but what the hell, might as well get it done).
Result, I've got cataracts. So, am then taken through the costs for replacement lens. Then, I'm told, because of my age and eyesight, I might have detached retinas.
Was back there two days later getting the eye drops and then retinal scan/photos. Result, no detached retinas but he discovered a lesion on my left eye. To his credit, he reckoned this was just a nevus but it possibly could be melanoma. I had to go back in 6 months.
And, my father has glaucoma which can be hereditary so my eye pressure was tested. It was on the high side. No glaucoma but it needed to be watched.
Well, the lesion really freaked me out and I never went back 6 months later. Instead, about a year later, I was back in England and decided to have a full check/second opinion done there.
Result. No cataracts, no detached retinas, eye pressure normal. And the lesion? Well, if I hadn't mentioned it to the doctor, she said she probably wouldn't have noticed it. There was nothing to worry about. It was not a melanoma.
Earlier this year, I was back in England again so sought a third opinion. That was as above with the rider that I shouldn't let anyone near my eyes, operation wise, for probably 15 years.
That's it. One to two years of worry for nothing.
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by Big Boy »

I can sort of relate to what you are saying Lomu. He is very thorough, and does pick up everything. He often looks on the dark side, but at the end of the day, he is saying I will need an operation eventually, but not for a few years.

What he didn't know was that I'd been having regular check ups on my eyes at Bristol Eye Hospital before moving here. He found exactly the same potential problems as the hospital.

If I listened to everything he tells me, I'd probably end it all now, but a lot of it is 'what may happen' in the distant future. Maybe I'm lucky in that I had a non-profit making organisation with which to compare him with. I am happy that he is treating me correctly.
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lomuamart
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by lomuamart »

That's fair enough. I would certainly classify him as "cautious".
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Re: Routine Eye Sight tests in Thailand

Post by huahin4ever »

Can I just drop in, or does he require by appointment only?
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