LASIK surgery

[Rocketboy]

Has anyone had this procedure done in Thailand/Pattaya? If so recommendations on where, how much? If you have any advice for or against doing it there, that would be appreciated.

[Encora]

I have had similar surgery done, a bit diffferent, laser based correction of the surface of the lens, In Bangkok pattaya Hospital. Satisfied with their quality of treatment. The Doc is a bit abrubt in his manner, but I'm OK with that.
However, when I had a collapsed retina six months later, which may or may not have been triggered by various eye ops in teh previous year, I chose to  go to Rutnin Hospital in BKK, which specialises in eye only.

Possibly, If I had to choose now, I would choose Rutnin.

[Buddy Edgewood]

Pro: you might not need glasses after the procedure and all the girls will love your new look.

 

Con: you could end up legally blind because of the procedure.  But turning lemons into to lemonade, you could learn to play the piano and wear cool Ray-Bans, the girls will love it!

 

Unless an optometrist says you absolutely need the procedure (for cataracts, etc...), my friendly advise would be to live with wearing glasses.

[B-Man]

Had mine done at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital about 8 years ago. Dr. and care were all top notch. The surgery came out better than i expected, couldn't be happier with it. No glasses, no contact lenses, it is a real freedom.  It was 42K baht then, no idea what they are charging. Hope this helps

[Kurt Belyeu]

I had lasik done at TRSC center in Bangkok and can't complain.. its great swimming an the lot without need lenses.  It seems to accelerate my need for reading glasses though I have no direct evidence to tie this to the surgery.

 

Kurt

[casinoclub]

Has anyone had this procedure done in Thailand/Pattaya? If so recommendations on where, how much? If you have any advice for or against doing it there, that would be appreciated.

 

I have had it done but in the USA. 

 

I would NOT recommend LASIK.  Don't get me wrong, my result came back "perfect".  I have 20/20.

 

I would recommend Ortho-K instead.

 

The issue with LASIK is that when you get older (40+) and start needing reading glasses, you'll find yourself wearing reading glasses all the time.  In that sense, "same same but different":  Near-sighted Glasses or Reading Glasses.  I've heard the new LASIK can compensate for this, but I have not met anyone who's done it.

[casinoclub]

I had lasik done at TRSC center in Bangkok and can't complain.. its great swimming an the lot without need lenses.  It seems to accelerate my need for reading glasses though I have no direct evidence to tie this to the surgery.

 

Kurt

 

The "net result" is that you feel an acceleration. 

 

Nearsightedness actually partially counter the need for reading glasses.  People with near sight, can remove their eye glasses and read OK where people with perfect 20/20 will need reading glasses.

 

SO in a sense, given your need for "reading glasses", the LASIK "over correct" (in a matter of speaking) for you to be 20/20 and thus resulting in revealing your need for reading glasses.

[Klongwater]

I faced a similar decision in Bangkok five years ago,went to Bumrungrad and had a consultation to consider the outcomes.

 

As I had good near vision in one eye and good long vision in the other,the option was to make both eyes good for distance,but then I would need glasses for close up stuff and reading. Without them,I wouldn't be able to read if I didn't have my glasses on me. So,I decided against surgery....I don't want to be compromised by not being able to read a label or newspaper if I had lost,forgotten or misplaced my glasses.

 

Also,if it went wrong then I'd be fucked forever....you can't replace an eye.

 

So,I have glasses I occasionally wear at sports events,and can read ok without glasses. Vanity was an issue for a while but now I'm ok about it. It even looks dignified.

 

Not all laser eye surgery works out well....something to bear in mind. You don't get second chances if it fucks up...then you could be blind.

[riccy]

well, tell me this (honestly) ..  a colleague of mine had it done and is happy he doesn't need glasses anymore..  but at night he sees 'aura's' /halo's  around

lightbulbs and lanterns etc..      and no..  he's not psychic ..      do any of you see this too ?  

http://www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/hiew/lasik.html

[jomtienguy]

From experience I was very concerned about the pre-op requirements - very stringent and precise computer analysis and 7 day need for several eye drops each day, plus the fact that (in the excellent Bangkok hospitals) the doctors can sometimes have difficulty explaining every detail of what a patient has to do both pre and post operation...

 

In my case I got nervous that if the op went wrong I would be done as my eyes were that bad that I could see to do my work, and the opticians in Bangkok said that no glasses would improve my vision...

 

So faced with that situation and fast running out of money as I was not making money working. I made (what for me was for me a near miracle) I

[Rocketboy]

I have had it done but in the USA. 

 

I would NOT recommend LASIK.  Don't get me wrong, my result came back "perfect".  I have 20/20.

 

I would recommend Ortho-K instead.

 

The issue with LASIK is that when you get older (40+) and start needing reading glasses, you'll find yourself wearing reading glasses all the time.  In that sense, "same same but different":  Near-sighted Glasses or Reading Glasses.  I've heard the new LASIK can compensate for this, but I have not met anyone who's done it.

Did a little research on Othro-K, looks like a good option. Going to speak to my doc about it. I presently wear contacts in both eyes, can't read small print and one for distance vision which is blurred.

[Cerberus]

Took my lass to Bumrungrad, service was excellent then I took her to Rutnin for a second opinion.  The explanation and warning in Bumrungrad was in perfect English as was the second opinion in Rutin, both advised that she was not suitable for Lazik and that she should avoid any form of unnecessary eye surgery due to the thickness, (lack thereof),  of her cornea.

 

On thing to bear in mind is what generation of machine they are using, at the time we went Rutin had the more modern one but that was several years and things could have changed.

[casinoclub]

Did a little research on Othro-K, looks like a good option. Going to speak to my doc about it. I presently wear contacts in both eyes, can't read small print and one for distance vision which is blurred.

 

The advantage of ortho-K is that you have the option to regret.  You can try for a good combination where you can both see distance and read close (say maybe a 20/30).  For the most part, we are no longer in classroom, you don't need 20/20.  Even in school a 20/20 is not required.  I think only a 20/30 is required for all students.

 

And you can keep changing the lens (albeit might get expensive at about $500/pair) until you find a good combo.

[Encora]

One thing about surgery that requires inserting a new lens in your eyeball (not sure if the OP was offered that option)

 

I had that done as part of my cataract surgery. I was offered choices ,

Fixed focus, e.g the lens would make either your eye great for close up, or far sight

The same, but one eye made to do far sight , the other close up

3 variable focus.

 

I chose the latter . A mention was made that it may reduce total brightness of your vision a bit, but I didn't really take that on board.

 

Wrong! In practice, now it means that at low light levels (e.g. restaurant menu reading) I cannot read anything.

Any low light close up stuff, I am hopeless.

 

It was mentioned in my briefing, but not really explained in detail what the effect may be....

 

If I'd have the choice again, I'd choose fixed focus, distant, both eyes. Close up, use reading glasses....

[James Purdom]

Had Laser eye surgery 21 years ago in London. Best £3000.00 I have ever spent.

[just hanging]

lasik doesn't last and when your older you should not do it.     Super Sight, BPH.   Many friends have done it with great results, I would do it but I am chicken

[Kenjataimu]

A fair while ago (15 years ?) I had a consultation, went to two different opthamologists, both wore glasses both said I was a decent candidate (both warned of the probable halo effect from lighting at night mentioned by another poster).  Did a follow up a couple years ago, different opthamoligst, in case things had changed, different city here in Aus. he wore glasses.  A freind of mine has a surgeon friend in the US who does laser work on eyes, he wears glasses, said he'd never get it done, too dangerous.

 

I was racing motorcycle enduro's at the time of the first consultation (late '30's), it was a pain wearing glasses under googles and it fucked up my depth perception for stuff out to about 50m (or at least I thought it was 50m... haha),  so I gave up racing  saved a fortune !

[sulu]

I have had it done but in the USA. 

 

I would NOT recommend LASIK.  Don't get me wrong, my result came back "perfect".  I have 20/20.

 

I would recommend Ortho-K instead.

 

The issue with LASIK is that when you get older (40+) and start needing reading glasses, you'll find yourself wearing reading glasses all the time.  In that sense, "same same but different":  Near-sighted Glasses or Reading Glasses.  I've heard the new LASIK can compensate for this, but I have not met anyone who's done it.

 

Just read a little about Ortho-K. Hadn't heard about it before. Don't think I'd like "fussing" with putting int contacts every night and taking them out every morning.

 

So you had Lasik, got to 20/20, and you would NOT recommend it. Interesting. Why not ?

 

As far as using reading glasses "all the time" when you get older that is NONSENSE. As for new Lasik"(?) compensating for this, don't know. There IS a procedure called "mono-vision" (see below), somewhat explained by the guy above who had cataracts, but not sure if Lasik can correct so that you can see near AND far (assuming you need reading glasses in the first place that is) 

 

I had Lasik done in January 2000. Wore glasses all my life. Best thing I've EVER done. Well, except maybe for Annie Goolihy. 

 

And one does NOT wear reading glasses all the time when one starts needing them.

 

The reason one needs their cornea reshaped via Lasik is because the "focal length", the length between the cornea and the retina is either too long (nearsighted) or too short (farsighted). Lasik corrects this distance.

 

The reason one needs reading glasses is the LENS. The image goes through your cornea and your lens and the lens flexes allowing you to see both near and far. As you get older your dick gets softer but the lens in your eye gets stiffer.   Go figure. So your lens NOT flexing means you need reading glasses. Typically this happens, as you mentioned, around a person's 40s.

 

About 4 years ago I noticed I wasn't seeing the golf ball as well nor was I able to read street signs as easily. The odd(?) thing was I was able to read without glasses. Turns out the decline of my distance vision was allowing me to read better. It got worse and worse and I thought the Lasik was "wearing off" (They do warn you that you MAY need a "correction" after about 10 years or so).

 

Not true. Turns out it was cataracts. Cataracts are clouding of the LENS. The lens needs to be replaced. I had that done about 8 months ago and I am BACK to 20/20 (and sadly back to reading glasses as well  ). 

 

As another gentleman mentioned earlier there are different types of lenses one can get if one is an appropriate candidate. Ironically(?), because I had had Lasik done, I wasn't a good candidate for flexible type lenses so I got "fixed" lenses as the other guy wishes he had gotten. I had many years of after-Lasik perfect vision and only needed glasses for reading and I was perfectly fine with that - so I would have preferred the fixed lens option anyway. 

 

What he had done with one eye corrected for distance and the other corrected for reading is called "mono-vision" (at least for Lasik purposes - not sure about cataract procedures). The theory is that whatever you're using your eyes for, distance or reading, the eye corrected for that purpose will "dominate" and you will be able to see appropriately. Before I had Lasik done my doctor gave me several sets of contact lenses that simulated mono-vision and told me to try it out. HATED it. For ME, it turns out that with mono-vision I couldn't see very clearly either near or far.

 

Personally I would recommend Lasik. Worked GREAT for me,,,,,,,,,,, answer to a prayer,,,,,,,, 

[sulu]

lasik doesn't last and when your older you should not do it.     Super Sight, BPH.   Many friends have done it with great results, I would do it but I am chicken

 

Older ? As in how old ? Any source or personal experience ? I'd have to disagree (see my previous post). Sounds like you're "admitting your "friends" would disagree as well. 

 

And yet you would do it ? After saying it doesn't last and don't have it done when you're "older". Sounds like you feel very strongly BOTH ways,,,,,,,,,,,,  

[James Purdom]

I know lots of people who've had laser eye correction, and not one was messed up in any way. One girl I knew still wore glasses but a lot thinner. Her eyes were very bad and the consultant did say this may be the best result. But that was some 16 years ago.

 

Some famous people the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, have had laser correction.

 

So many "Willie Worries" here.

 

Just remembered, I had my eye correction BEFORE the internet*.

 

* Common Internet.

[princeofwales]

Im up for lasik in august

Still not sure where to go

Almost certainly be Bangkok though

Any idea on price

[Kurt Belyeu]

TRSC offers lifetime free corrections.. 

 

BPH and TRSC offer dual corrections now for both far and near nearsightedness..   My suggestion is go speak with the doctor to ensure that you are a candidate for the surgery.

 

Kurt

[hongseng]

My friend told me that LASIK will not really make your vision always near 20/20. Also, once you undergo it, you cannot undergo it again for the rest of your life... My question is it ideal to have it if my job involves heavy reading/computer use? Right now I have 300/280 vision

[just hanging]

supersight, BPH, your vision will be perfect and last till you die.  See close up, middle, and far.....all good   about 30 minute operation each eye, about 100k each eve

this is not lazik by the way but replacing your lens with a new one like this

[sulu]

14 hours ago, hongseng said:

My friend told me that LASIK will not really make your vision always near 20/20. Also, once you undergo it, you cannot undergo it again for the rest of your life... My question is it ideal to have it if my job involves heavy reading/computer use? Right now I have 300/280 vision

The answer is "it depends".

I had Lasik done right at the turn of the century. I don't know what 300/280 means as typically here in the states it's referred to as 20/something. I believe that stands for  something at 20 feet looks like it's xxx feet away.

I was around 20/200 in both eyes. Not good but not the worst. At 20/300, at least at that time, 20/20 was unlikely although they did think they could gets someone that bad to 20/40, maybe even 20/30. At 20/40 you probably wouldn't need glasses to see things far away from you but of course your vision wouldn't be "perfect" (20/20).

Also, a 2nd surgery is possible. In fact, a 2nd surgery soon after the original one is called a "touch up". I believe that happens if, after a little while after the original surgery, you're still not seeing as well as you should, they may do another one.

Surprised it would be about 100K Baht though. That's about $3K UDS and that's about what I paid 18 years ago. Then again, there are all sorts of "come ons" here in the States. Advertisements of "$500 per eye" are rampant. Don't know if they're actually done for that though. Would have thought in Thailand it'd bee about half that.

Since I've not needed any info about Lasik much of what I posted is dated but I expect you're just soliciting some basic info and if you were serious about it you'd do a lot more research on it.

BTW, for the record, since I've worn glasses since 5th grade, it's THE best decision I've ever made.

BTW#2 - Be advised that Lasik typically corrects for distance and, if you're around 40 or older, even though your distance vision may turn out to be perfect, you probably would still need reading glasses.