I'm one of those unfortunate people that are extremely nearsighted. This 60s something older fellow has recently been diagnosed with cataracts. Over the next couple of years I'm going to be burning through many sets of glasses. I've been wondering if I could save money in Thailand or the Philippines. 

If you know anything about the expense of United States healthcare you can understand where I'm coming from. When I buy a pair of glasses they cost a thousand dollars. A decent set of frames cost 350 dollars or more.

Due to my very strong prescription I'm not sure about if quality lenses can be procured, but perhaps buying four or five pairs of frames and then getting the lenses in the United States would save me money. Any advice would be appreciated. Availability of quality high prescription frame? Decent place in Pattaya or Bangkok? Affordability of glasses frames even if they're expensive? Philippines versus Thailand.

 

ZenniOptical.com shipped from Hong Kong, arrive in Thailand 10-14 days after order.

Around $65US for the more expensive prescriptions including delivery.

Edited April 16, 20251 yr by britmantoo

1 hour ago, windsors420 said:

I'm one of those unfortunate people that are extremely nearsighted. This 60s something older fellow has recently been diagnosed with cataracts. Over the next couple of years I'm going to be burning through many sets of glasses. I've been wondering if I could save money in Thailand or the Philippines. 

If you know anything about the expense of United States healthcare you can understand where I'm coming from. When I buy a pair of glasses they cost a thousand dollars. A decent set of frames cost 350 dollars or more.

Due to my very strong prescription I'm not sure about if quality lenses can be procured, but perhaps buying four or five pairs of frames and then getting the lenses in the United States would save me money. Any advice would be appreciated. Availability of quality high prescription frame? Decent place in Pattaya or Bangkok? Affordability of glasses frames even if they're expensive? Philippines versus Thailand.

 

I have not played with the online prescription glasses places,  but I have a very strong prescription as well and the past few yrs I have been buying them in Vietnam.  The glass is always japanese/german with all the coatings, progressive, etc.  Last pair a few months back was 5800B equivalent.  

1 hour ago, rioman said:

I have not played with the online prescription glasses places,  but I have a very strong prescription as well and the past few yrs I have been buying them in Vietnam.  The glass is always japanese/german with all the coatings, progressive, etc.  Last pair a few months back was 5800B equivalent.  

Thanks for the information. Few years back I bought a pair of zeiss lenses and Japanese frames and they set me back two thousand dollars. You can realize why I can't do that again, especially since when I have cataract surgery I'm probably going to have a series of glasses until I get my final pair that meets my needs.

I know a couple guys who haven’t needed glasses at all after cataract surgery. Hopefully, you’ll have this option.

https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/guide-to-eye-conditions/guide-to-cataracts/when-should-i-have-cataract-surgery/will-cataract-surgery-give-me-20-20-vision/

Kits.ca sells single vision glasses for CAD$29 in Canada.

There must be ten times as many online opticians in the US.

If you have your RX and pupil distance you can order them for a lot less than $000's.

There's no local shop in Pattaya anywhere near online prices and they take forever but I think people in Thailand order online from China.

 

 

Edited April 16, 20251 yr by ricktoronto

Pattaya Optical - Optical services is in Pattaya Klang (Central Road), near the junction with Soi Buakhao.

I had eye test and new lenses in the frame I already had: 2000 bahts.

Excellent. Took about three days from test to delivery.

Check web site for more details.

6 hours ago, windsors420 said:

when I have cataract surgery I'm probably going to have a series of glasses until I get my final pair that meets my needs.

Following cataract surgery I have not needed spectacles for everyday wear e.g. work on computer, car driving.

Do need a pair for reading such as newspaper but can easily read bigger type without spectacles.

 

OWNDAYS, Terminal 21, Pattaya ｜Glasses（Spectacles/Eyeglasses, Sunglasses)

456,777,777/1 Moo 6 Terminal 21 Pattaya, FL.1, Unit No. 1019, 1020 Na Kluea, Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Chonburi 20150   OWNDAYS Terminal 21 Pattaya ｜Glasses（Spectacles/Eyeglasses, Sunglasses

by Dolphin Roundabout.

Worth checking out.

10 hours ago, britmantoo said:

ZenniOptical.com shipped from Hong Kong, arrive in Thailand 10-14 days after order.

Around $65US for the more expensive prescriptions including delivery.

I've bought two pairs of the top of the line progressives from zenni this year. Each around 100 USD and delivered in 15 days or less. 

Plenty of online options here in the USA. Some mentioned Zenni Optical above. They ship to the US. That’s one of the many online companies. Nearsighted myself and my cataracts are just starting. Hope everything works out well for you 

On 16/04/2025 at 21:26, bgtp said:

Nearsighted myself and my cataracts are just starting.

Eye surgeon said he does left eyes on Tuesdays and right eyes on Thursdays; reason is he lines up the robot and other equipment, this takes time to get it right.

Went to clinic with knees trembling, despite assurances. Nurse put drops into left eye, stung a bit. I was lightly sedated but aware enough to respond to instructions e.g. "Look left, look down".

Felt absolutely nothing. Went home with patch over eye but was able to take it off next morning.

No driving for three days after the procedure.

Same again with right eye the next week.

Could see much better. Annual check-up, no problems.

I believe cataract procedure is the most common operation.

On 16/04/2025 at 18:11, Bonkabit said:

 

OWNDAYS, Terminal 21, Pattaya ｜Glasses（Spectacles/Eyeglasses, Sunglasses)

456,777,777/1 Moo 6 Terminal 21 Pattaya, FL.1, Unit No. 1019, 1020 Na Kluea, Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Chonburi 20150   OWNDAYS Terminal 21 Pattaya ｜Glasses（Spectacles/Eyeglasses, Sunglasses

by Dolphin Roundabout.

Worth checking out.

Another vote for Owndays. I can't speak to the quality of the their eye exam as I gave them a Rx I got while back in the States. But I'm very happy with the quality of the reading and computer glasses I purchased from them. Frames and lenses where 5,000B each, but IIRC it was 25% off the 2nd pair when purchased at the same time.

I had terrible eyesight until the 2nd Jan 25.
I had my lenses replaced at Sightsavers in BPH, Dr Somchai.
I will die with 20/20 vision now.

No more searching for glasses, leaving behind, expense, losing them.

Your vision is a bit wack for a day and it takes a little time to drive at night, it's like someone flinging chrismas trees at the windscreen, initially.

Cost THB200K all in.
Mine was THB250K as I had an astigmatism so the second lens to correct that is more.

Convenient too, they can assess you one day and come back do the op next day.
Painless, local anaesthic