caller wrote: ↑Wed Nov 14, 2018 8:58 pm
(With no disrespect intended to the poster) but Is no once else agog at the thought of spending 28,000 baht for a single pair of glasses, even with 'reactolite'? I find that cost incomprehensible. 3 years ago, I bought 2 pairs of prescription driving glasses and one each for reading and using a computer, with 3 of the 4 frames, being stupid designer stuff (as chosen by the other half) and they came to about half that price (in Korat).
I was very shocked at that price, yes. I have a "thing" for glasses and have many. I never pay anywhere near 28,000baht. I have bought glasses in Bangkok in the past but the prices were more or less the same as Europe. I have reactolite, that only costs an extra 30euro (at most) per lens on to the price when you go to one of the many specsaver-like chains throughout Europe. I have progressive lenses, "designer" (DKNY) frames, all the usual anti-glare anti-scratch rubbish, and they came in at just under 10,000baht. If I go for non-designer frames and the most simple multifocal lenses and I wait for one of the many offers all the specsaver type places do all the time I can get a nice pair for as little as 1500baht.
On a side note, I can't wear my reactolite glasses in Thailand (or anywhere sunny) for driving as they don't colour (darken) behind the windscreen. So I end up driving with normal glass which finally gets dark when I get out of the car .
Then again I can get sunglasses (varifocal) at specsaver type places for a couple of thousand baht so I shouldn't moan.
....Is no once else agog at the thought of spending 28,000 baht for a single pair of glasses,....
Yes, I bought a my last pair of prescription reading glasses in Hua Hin earlier this year for 1,800 bt, I need them for work but fixing large airplanes is still quite physical and they take too much of a beating to spend large amounts of money on. I look for the strongest looking metal frames which tend to be cheaper anyway and these were an end of line special offer.
hhfarang wrote:^ Those are reading glasses only...
No they are for long sight as well, i bought 2 pairs,they have magnification stickers on them,the ones i bought were -100, just sort through them,there are a few store/huts selling them in the market village centre.
Being long-sighted (or ‘far-sighted’) means you can see things far away but not things close-up, hence the need for reading glasses. The ones you buy in supermarkets etc. are for long-sightedness and are effectively magnifying glasses. They will carry a positive prescription, such as +1.25; +1.5.
Being short-sighted (or ‘near-sighted’) means you can’t see things far away and I’m not aware of any glasses you can just pick-up at MV or anywhere else for short-sightedness. These glasses have a negative prescription and are generally the bread and butter of opticians.
I don’t know about this Pairat character but it’s not like there’s a shortage of opticians in HH so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get a decent second opinion. Or third. Or fourth...
"A man who does not think for himself, does not think at all." Wilde
I'd be cautious about any practitioner who undertakes everything from initial diagnosis to final treatment. There are good reasons why physicians diagnose and surgeons operate, or physicians prescribe and pharmacists dispense. There's a lot of discussion here about the 'equipment' that is involved in ophthalmic care, which further muddies the water.
Who knows, perhaps there is an optometrist with a PhD operating in Hua Hin somewhere. A 'doctor' who can also 'write a prescription'...
"A man who does not think for himself, does not think at all." Wilde
I'd be cautious about any practitioner who undertakes everything from initial diagnosis to final treatment. There are good reasons why physicians diagnose and surgeons operate, or physicians prescribe and pharmacists dispense. There's a lot of discussion here about the 'equipment' that is involved in ophthalmic care, which further muddies the water.
Who knows, perhaps there is an optometrist with a PhD operating in Hua Hin somewhere. A 'doctor' who can also 'write a prescription'...
Just to clarify:
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist — Eye M.D. — is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders.
SUBSPECIALISTS: ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING FOR SPECIFIC EYE NEEDS
While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some Eye M.D.s specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. This person is called a subspecialist. He or she usually completes one or two years of additional, more in-depth training called a fellowship in one of the main subspecialty areas such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatrics, neurology and plastic surgery, as well as others. This added training and knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist take care of more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye or in certain groups of patients.
Optometrist
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not a medical doctor. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three years or more years of college. They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities, and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases.
Optician
Opticians are technicians trained to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight. They use prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists or optometrists, but do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction. Opticians are not permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases.
And to add to BB's post, Dr. Pairat will issue a prescription and allow you to buy your glasses elsewhere if you so wish.
Some time ago, a friend who had been to Charoen and advised to buy their specs. It was a test as he'd already been tested in the UK. Subsequently he went to Dr. Pairat who, after testing, told him that he didn't need glasses.
When you think about it, considering the fine metal work that goes into Thailand's huge budget jewellery industry, the skills and equipment needed to make metal specs frames must be pretty abundant in the LoS.
The materials and labour for a frame can't come to more than a couple of hundred baht, if that - so what does it cost to make lenses?
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly...
I now have an implanted lens in each eye. I do need glasses for reading and the ophthalmologist told me the strength that I needed. My older prescription glasses are no good now and I find that the 'Dollar" glasses are just fine and if I should lose a pair I a not in the least worried.
uncle tom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:59 pm
When you think about it, considering the fine metal work that goes into Thailand's huge budget jewellery industry, the skills and equipment needed to make metal specs frames must be pretty abundant in the LoS.
The materials and labour for a frame can't come to more than a couple of hundred baht, if that - so what does it cost to make lenses?
I think all the good specs come from Japan. Mine certainly were back in the day I needed them.
oakdale160 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 16, 2018 11:05 pm
I now have an implanted lens in each eye. I do need glasses for reading and the ophthalmologist told me the strength that I needed. My older prescription glasses are no good now and I find that the 'Dollar" glasses are just fine and if I should lose a pair I a not in the least worried.
When Dr. Pairat fitted replacement lenses after cataracts, he asked me if I wanted a 'reading eye'. I thought he was joking but sure enough in the years I've had them I've never needed reading glasses. I can read even small print given enough light.
Been a while since anyone contributed to this thread and I need to get a new pair of varifocals. In the past I bought glasses at Time Optic without any complaints. Has anyone used them lately (are they still in business?). They were mentioned earlier in the thread briefly but it turned into Dr. Pairat (good) v Top Charoen (debatable). I need glasses and just want to get the correct prescription strength as I know mine has changed in the last two years. Wifey will also be upgrading her prescription too. My last test was done in the UK and with no plans to go there for a while I would like some information on alternatives to Dr. Pairat and what choices are available.
As far as I'm aware, Dr. Pairat is the only ophthalmologist in HH. Correct me if I'm wrong.
However, use him to get an accurate prescription then shop around for the specs. You don't have to buy from him.
HHTel wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:37 pm
As far as I'm aware, Dr. Pairat is the only ophthalmologist in HH. Correct me if I'm wrong.
However, use him to get an accurate prescription then shop around for the specs. You don't have to buy from him.
I agree with that and to answer the original question, yes, Time Optics is still in business. I've had all my lenses made there. I wear a graduated, no-line bifocal and the lenses adapt to the changing light. (I forgot what that's called) I've had 2 pair of glasses from Time and they've always been accurate. You'll pay a bit more than Top Charoen but the quality of lens is better.
I called into Dr Pairat’s clinic this morning - only one person ahead of me so not long to wait. He gave me a thorough examination and detected early stages of cataracts but nothing untoward at this stage. I needed new lenses for driving but he was happy to put new lenses in my existing frames, so very cheap and ready within 2-3 days. Would definitely recommend him.
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