9 replies to this topic

[thetravellingcat]

Hi, short time listener, 5th time poster.

I have a question.

I currenly wear glasses and would like to give contact lenses a try while i'm out in Thailand for an extended holiday. I just wondered if anybody had any first hand experience with the Thai prescription contact lenses. Which brand would you recommend for a beginner? i'm quite short sighted. What is the minimium prescription and how much should I be looking to pay. Is there a tourist/farang tax that applies? Does the hot pollution make contacts difficult to wear? what type should i go for? (disposables, weeklys or something else)

hope to hear,
R.

[youngkiwi]

Choosing the right contact lense for your eye very much depends on your personal circumstances. You would be best advised to get an eye test from a reputable optician/eye store. Most stores offer free eye tests and can make recommendations on the best lense to suit your needs. There is a wide range of brands available and they are inexpensive compared to prices in the West. Best of luck.

[seonai]

Very cheap - about 200 baht a pair - and there is the best eye care available in Thailand. The only thing that is troublesome is driving on a bike near the beaches when it's dry as the sand can get in your eyes, oh and also in Bangkok too

[thetravellingcat]

seonai, on 2008-02-16 05:54:33, said:

Very cheap - about 200 baht a pair - and there is the best eye care available in Thailand. The only thing that is troublesome is driving on a bike near the beaches when it's dry as the sand can get in your eyes, oh and also in Bangkok too

thanks for the advice.
I've got an year old prescription from the UK which still works. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get my eyes tested anyway. Is that 200 for a disposable pair or ones you've gotta clean every day?

[actiondell4]

Ialsowantto buy contact lenses?
Wherein pattaya is the best place?

Icurrently where glasses so am  unsure about contacts ,but im sick of looking older wearing glasses.

[jingjingna]

Contact lenses are easily available from any opticians.  I used to wear them, the 'johnson and johson' daily disposabletypes that used to work out about just over 2,000 Baht a month, which is quite expensive. You'll need to have a test done to find out which type of lens is most suitable for you and then make a decision from there. I reverted back to glasses after wearing contacts on and off for a year and a bit. As for sand/dust, just get a pair of sunglasses, if you decide on getting contacts.

[wineaux]

Daily disposables here are about 600-700 baht month which are the best for your eyes and you can just bin them before bed. You can also get 2 weekly and monthly which will be cheaper but need some care/cleaning.

Bausch & lomb seem to be the best and most comfortable having tried all the brands.

Most optitions will test your eyes for free before you buy if you ask.

In Pattaya I think every road has an optician, prices seem to be be fairly similiar wherever you go.

[thetravellingcat]

thank you again for replying to my post
all the best
R.

[icemaniac]

thetravellingcat, on 2008-02-16 15:35:05, said:

seonai, on 2008-02-16 05:54:33, said:

Very cheap - about 200 baht a pair - and there is the best eye care available in Thailand. The only thing that is troublesome is driving on a bike near the beaches when it's dry as the sand can get in your eyes, oh and also in Bangkok too

thanks for the advice.
I've got an year old prescription from the UK which still works. Perhaps it would be a good idea to get my eyes tested anyway. Is that 200 for a disposable pair or ones you've gotta clean every day?

Don't let the (local providers)* touch your eyes. They have no clue. I tried to get a prescription for contacts here and they screwed 'em up. And everytime I 've tried to buy glasses here, they've gotten it wrong and I've had to go back time and again. My Thai doctor didn't even know that you can get weighted contacts for an astygmatism. LAME. I had to get a new prescription in the U.S. instead. So much for the great healthcare and supposedly inexpensive system in this country. Don't do it unless you want to waste your time going back again and again.

* edit by moderator

[happylarry]

I wear monthly disposable contact lenses and I put them in when I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night, with no problems whatsoever. I still use the same prescription from the UK however, so I cant comment on the opticians skill but the lenses themselves are as good as any anywhere.