Eye Hospitals and Clinics in Thailand

Checking the ophthalmologist

Every doctor in Thailand must hold a licence from the Medical Council of Thailand, whose public lookup at tmc.or.th lets you search by first name and surname and shows licence status and any recorded specialty. Enter the name exactly as the clinic gives it, and ask for the licence number if a search returns several results.

Ophthalmology training and the Thai Board of Ophthalmology examinations are overseen by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand. Beyond board certification, many surgeons list a subspecialty such as cornea and refractive surgery, retina and vitreous, glaucoma or paediatric ophthalmology. For laser vision correction, a cornea and refractive surgeon is the usual fit; for a complex cataract or a retinal problem, look for the matching subspecialty.

Before your consultation, the UK Royal College of Ophthalmologists' standardised patient leaflets and surgery checklist for refractive surgery are a useful way to prepare questions; it also expects provider information to set out fees, possible extra costs and aftercare.

Laser vision correction: who is suitable

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says LASIK candidates should usually be at least 18, ideally over 21, with a prescription that has been stable for at least a year and healthy corneas of sufficient thickness. Conditions that can rule it out include keratoconus, severe dry eye, thin or scarred corneas, advanced glaucoma, a cataract affecting vision and poorly controlled diabetes. At least one Bangkok hospital also excludes pregnancy, breastfeeding and recent isotretinoin (acne medication) use.

A proper pre-operative assessment takes time. Expect refraction, corneal thickness measurement and corneal mapping, a tear-film check and a dilated examination of the retina. You will usually be asked to stop wearing contact lenses beforehand (one Bangkok hospital asks for three days for soft lenses and seven for hard), because lenses change the shape of the cornea and can distort the measurements.

LASIK, SMILE and PRK in brief

All three reshape the cornea with a laser. LASIK cuts a thin flap, now usually with a femtosecond laser ("FemtoLASIK"), then reshapes the tissue underneath with an excimer laser. SMILE uses a femtosecond laser to shape a small disc of tissue inside the cornea, which is removed through a small incision, so there is no flap; it is used for short-sightedness and astigmatism. PRK removes the surface layer instead of making a flap, which avoids flap risks but brings a slower, more uncomfortable recovery while the surface heals.

For prescriptions outside the laser range, or corneas that are too thin, clinics may offer an implantable Collamer lens (ICL), placed inside the eye in front of the natural lens. None of these treatments stops presbyopia, so most people still need reading glasses from their mid-forties. Common, usually temporary side effects include dry eye, glare, halos and fluctuating vision; the NHS says these normally improve within a few months.

Cataract surgery and lens choices

Cataract surgery replaces the clouded natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), most often by phacoemulsification under local anaesthetic. When both eyes need surgery they are often treated on separate days; the NHS notes that some lens surgery is done this way.

The lens choice drives much of the price. Monofocal lenses focus at one distance, usually far, and most people then need reading glasses. Toric lenses also correct astigmatism. Multifocal, trifocal and extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses aim to reduce dependence on glasses, but the AAO warns they can cause glare, halos and some loss of contrast, which matters if you drive at night.

In published Thai prices, cataract surgery on one eye runs from roughly 69,000 THB to over 140,000 THB depending on the lens and the hospital. Some quotes exclude the lens implant itself, so check what is included before comparing.

What a package usually includes

Thai hospitals and eye centres often sell refractive and cataract surgery as packages. Read the terms line by line, because two packages with the same headline price can cover very different things.

• Whether the pre-operative assessment and specialist consultation fee are included or charged separately
• Whether prices are per eye or for both eyes
• Which lens model or laser platform is covered, and what an upgrade costs
• How many follow-up visits are included, and over what period
• Post-operative eye drops and medication
• Any enhancement (re-treatment) policy and its cost
• Whether the price is only for certain patients, such as fly-in or online buyers
• What happens to your payment if the surgeon finds you unsuitable

Aftercare, follow-up and flying

Most laser and cataract surgery is done as a day case, but follow-up matters. One published Bangkok fee table, for example, schedules checks the next day, at one week, one month, three months and one year. Plan to stay at least until your surgeon is happy with the one-week check, and agree how later reviews will happen once you are home.

Follow the instructions you are given on eye drops, wearing a protective shield at night, and avoiding rubbing your eyes, swimming and dusty environments. The NHS advises not driving until your vision has recovered. Ask your surgeon for a written date before you fly. This is especially important after retinal surgery: the NHS says you must not fly while a gas bubble remains in the eye, which can be for up to 12 weeks.

Before you leave, ask for a written report with your pre-operative measurements, the procedure and laser used, and the lens model and power implanted. The UK government notes that full medical reports are not always readily available in Thailand, so request yours before discharge.

Costs, deposits and insurance

Private hospitals in Thailand typically take a deposit or payment before treatment, according to the UK government. Some eye packages are sold at a different price to residents, international patients or online buyers, so make sure the quote you hold applies to you.

Laser vision correction is elective and rarely covered by travel or health insurance. Cataract surgery may be covered by some health policies, so check with your insurer before booking and ask the hospital for itemised receipts and a medical report for any claim.