Cataract Operation at Hua Hin Hospital

[europtimiste]

Before visiting Pairat, I used to check at Rutnin Eye center in Bangkok. Anyone had experienced cataract operation there ?

[HHTel]

I believe it's the No.1 eye hospital in Thailand. I would expect excellent reviews but very expensive.

[Big Boy]

I remember richard having his done at Rutnin. He wrote a very thorough report on here at the time. He said it was excellent.

[caller]

My experience was similar to HHTel. A couple of hours of repeated eye drops, up to surgery. Laid down flat, covered, no pain and completion. Eye covered, put in a wheelchair, waited a few minutes, wheeled to payment, home.

Back to the clinic the next day, examined, drops adminisrered, still had to cover the eye at night for a couple of nights. Dr Pairat explained he had to put a stitch in as had a leak! Then back for a further check up and then a final check up a month later.

[Big Boy]

I must say, that post op experience you describe was more what I was expecting.

At this point I thought that’s it, time to get up, pay my money and go home

It did seem ludicrous keeping us there for 2 hours afterwards. I guess they had their reasons. The other guy did as he was told and stayed flat on his back. He was in considerable difficulty afterwards, and was unable to walk.

[PeteC]

One thing not mentioned yet. Sometimes with intraocular lens implants scar tissue will form over time. If in x months you start to think your vision is less clear than it is now go back and have it checked.

I've had both of mine fixed since originally done. It takes 30 seconds and is done with a laser.

[HHTel]

put in a wheelchair,

Caller, you must be VIP!

You jogged my memory. My face was covered for the op with only the eye being operated on visible.

[caller]

put in a wheelchair,

Caller, you must be VIP!

You jogged my memory. My face was covered for the op with only the eye being operated on visible.

I didn't need the wheel chair, but I guess it was pre-included in the hospitals costs!

[Big Boy]

I guess it all affects different people in different ways, but the hospital goes for the worst scenario. I was fine afterwards, but the other guy couldn't walk, and a wheelchair was essential.

The entire recovery suite at Hua Hin Hospital was quite surreal. There were some flat on their backs as I should have been, but there was a gallery of seats where some people were sat. I say surreal because everybody was 'Covid' masked up, and we all had silly hats. The viewing gallery reminded me of a scene from Night of the Living Dead. Nobody was speaking, they were just say there like zombies, watching us on trollies. Quite eerie. Then again, if I'd been flat on my back, I wouldn't have noticed the gallery of seats

[Big Boy]

PART 6 & Final

Post op care and follow-up check-up.

The post op care at home was simple:

• Keep the bandages on until the next morning.
• When the bandages come off, eye drops 4 times each day until the bottle is finished.
• Apply eye cream before bed.

The follow-up appointment was 2 days after the op. I was now in the Thai Style appointment regime, so no Express Clinic queue jumping. I was number 42. OK, sit and enjoy the rest.

Now the day got off to the perfect start. I’m not allowed to get my face wet for 2 weeks, so that basically means I can’t wash my hair either. I stepped out into the road to get into the taxi, and a bird dropped its load dead centre of my head. Funny now, but I was not at all impressed at the time, and was self-conscious throughout my forthcoming check-up. I had my wife clean me up as best she could with a handkerchief, which I duly disposed of.

When my name was called, it was in to read the numbers board. Remember 7 days previous I could manage the top 2 numbers. Well, the smile on the nurse’s face when I read straight to the bottom of the numbers board with no effort was amazing. I must say, I was pretty well amazed as well. I was given a 20/20 vision classification in both eyes.

Then the eye pressure test – both eyes scored 15 (no idea what that means, but I guess it was OK).

Then into see the doctor. He must have looked for about 5 seconds, and said, “Perfect, finish the meds and I’ll see you in 1 month.”

So my new eye was given a clean bill of health. We went downstairs to pay – 330฿.

We went for a coffee, and then called a taxi to go home (still at least another day before I’ll consider driving again). A nice sized taxi arrived, but I think there was a problem with the aircon, and he had the blowers on high to compensate. These blowers, despite me wearing sunglasses, were blowing straight at my face. Before we got to Petchkasem Road, my eye was giving me a lot of pain. It was a pain which I suffered most of that afternoon. The blowers on my eye caused significant aggravation. I did get the driver to switch them off, but the damage had been done. Of course, not the taxi driver’s fault, but this was the first pain I’d felt. By 19:30, the pain had completely gone again, and was only a temporary setback.

Day 3 saw me almost normal, but wearing dark glasses. I was quite capable to drive.

Day 4 saw me resuming my daily walks around Khao Tao Lake, but with dark glasses.

Day 5 and the op is just a memory. The (feeling of) bits of sand have gone from my eyes, and Im back to where I was a week ago, except that I can see again. My vision is perfect for anything more than 4’ away. For reading or computer work, I still need my old specs. The dark glasses outdoors and driving will continue for about a week more yet I think.

For all of the hospital snobs out there (I was certainly well within that bracket for a couple of years after coming to live in Thailand) Hua Hin Hospital is an excellent medical facility, which I think we are very lucky to have available to us. Yes, seeing the Thai cattle market appointment style can be very off-putting, but I’ve done many of these with Mrs BB, and the system works. I’m a semi-snob these days and tend to use the Premium (Express) Clinic facilities, which IMHO are excellent. It took me a long time to change to Hua Hin Hospital, and even after I’d changed, it took 2 or 3 visits before I became comfortable with the place - the reputation on forums such as this can be very misleading. All that I can say, is try it, you will be surprised at how good it is.

I am a satisfied customer.

[HHTel]

I agree wholeheartedly with you on the competency of HH Hospital. I've used it for years without complaint. They've gone a long way from the days when it was not much more than a shack.

My vision is perfect for anything more than 4’ away. For reading or computer work, I still need my old specs.

Not sure of the visual competency of others that have had the op outside of HH Hospital. As I've mentioned, I've never needed glasses for several years since having the op. I can read the smallest print. I have found that my close range visual is much better with natural light but still no problem with artificial light.

Did you notice the increase in the way you see colours? One of the first things I remember. "Goodness, all these white cars are all different whites!!"

Well done, BB. Enjoy your new reality.

[Big Boy]

Colours is something somebody else mentioned to me, and yes, while I have to agree the colours are stronger through my new lens, they aren't aren't really that different. I've put it down to the tinting on the new lens. Maybe the fact I still had a relatively good eye made a big difference, colour wise.

[HHTel]

Ah yes. Your good eye would compensate. You're quite correct.

[hhinner]

@BB You mention wearing dark glasses when outside for another while. It's just my opinion, but I'd say that should be the normal habit not just for a short while until your eye heals. UV is one of the main causes of cataracts and good spec sun glasses help protect the eyes.

[handdrummer]

The number 15 tells you what the pressure is in your eyes. Anything above 17 is considered borderline Glaucoma. 14-15 is a good number. If your numbers go above 17, there are drops you can use that will bring down the pressure to 14. Payrat has them.