Cataract surgery at AEK Udon

Post by **Mobaan** » July 14, 2010, 3:26 pm

Did anyone on this forum have CATARACT surgery done by the resident eyedoctor(lady) at AEK Udon.
I know they are doing quiet a bit of business with falangs (have seen many at the eyeclinc ther over the years ) so where are y'all.
What was the experience ? Please share your knowledge , there are a bunch of "mature " fellows around here who sooner or later will be faced with this problem- like me now.

Post by **Jai** » July 14, 2010, 6:38 pm

Mobaan—I do not have Cataract’s (That I am aware of) but I am hoping to the surgery latter this year—a few of the top Hospitals do what is referred to as: “Super Sight” This is the same operation in that it replaces the lens in the eyes—which in your case becomes cloudy with the affects of Cataracts –but instead of a normal lens it has special sight lenses that are made in Texas --- If you want just strong normal sight or the emphases on distance…fine print reading ...etc, the BKK/Pattaya hospital seems to lead with this as the surgeon they have worked with it in Germany. When I lived in Pattaya I knew of 4 people that had this operation, and since moving here, a friend of mine has also gone down and had it done just a short while ago.

When this friend had it done they found he did indeed have the starting of Cataracts--- so this was good news as a large part of the operation was then refunded to him from insurance.
If you have to have Cataract surgery –Replacement of Eye Lens---why not make it that your never in your life time have to wear glasses again.

http://www.supersightsurgery.com/

Post by **Pakawala** » July 15, 2010, 8:14 am

Mobaan, I would HIGHLY recommend that you go to the Udon Thani Hospital (government hospital) and talk with Dr. (Miss) Sirirug Wisetsilapanon. She's about 30 yrs old, speaks excellent English and trains/upgrades regularly in the U.S (every other year or so). My wife worked as a government nurse in the in-patient ENT clinic of the Udon Hospital for 19 years and is very familiar with your problem. I've personally talked with Dr. Sirirug (not too sure of this spelling) and have complete confidence in her abilities. Don't know if she also does work at any of the private hospitals in the area but I would not hesitate to let her work on me.

Just go talk with her, you'll be impressed. I believe she's on the 4th floor of the hospital OPD clinic.

Post by **jackspratt** » July 15, 2010, 8:21 am

As an added bonus (if she is the same lady who treated me after I had a bug fly into my eye), the aforementioned Dr Sirirug is very easy on the eyes (pun intended).

Post by **old-timer** » July 15, 2010, 10:40 pm

jackspratt wrote:the aforementioned Dr Sirirug is very easy on the eyes (pun intended).

Was Dr Sirirug still a WFB when the mince pies were back working again ?

OT......... $\:D/$

Post by **Pakawala** » July 16, 2010, 6:59 am

Don't know how to answer this... doesn't make any sense - and not because I don't understand what's meant my 'mince pies'.

Post by **Galee** » July 16, 2010, 7:17 am

Cockney slang Paka. Mince pies = eyes.

Post by **jimboLV** » February 25, 2012, 8:53 pm

I know this is an old thread but since it didn’t get much response I will post my current situation just in casr there are some folks wondering about cataract surgery. I don’t live in Udon anymore so my experience is in Ubon Ratchathani, but should be typical of what you will find in Udon. Bottom line is I am now scheduled for cataract surgery on April 7. Total cost wil be 23,000 baht inclusive at a private clinic in Ubon.

The technical term is Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation. In layman’s terms, they make a tiny incision in your lens, stick some sort of device in there which dissolves the lens, then extract the now emulsified lens.

You can google those terms to read more than you care to know about the procedure. Now I realize that this sounds like some North Korean torture practice to extract information, but trust me it’s not as horrible as it sounds. Then they insert a folded up acrylic lens through the incision and it unfurls somehow, then they stitch up the incision and voila, you’ve got a new lens, which should never need correction. I had it done about six years ago in the States on my right eye and it was a piece of cake. Took about 20 minutes, I didn’t feel a thing as I was awake during the procedure but somewhat groggy. It was done as an outpatient in a clinic and I went home immediately after with a black eye patch on the eye. The next day I went back and they took out the stitches and gave me those horrible dark glasses that you see old people walking around in and looking ridiculous. But hey, I’m an old person too so what the Hell. After a few days I had perfect vision in the right eye. It was a revelation to see how bright and clear everything was. When I first went into Wal-Mart I couldn’t believe all the bright colors whereas for years I had been seeing dingy blurry colors, and I didn’t need glasses which I had worn since high school, except for reading.

So back to the present. My eyesight in my left eye has been getting progressively worse so that I am now legally blind in my left eye, although I can still see distances without glasses. However I have no 3D vision which makes it hard to go down long flights of stairs or to navigate the uneven sidewalks so prevalent in LOS. So I went to our local hospital here in Amnat Charoen and they do this operation routinely, but only once a week and they have a FIVE MONTH waiting list!. There must be an epidemic of cataracts in Issan. The ophthalmologist recommended a private clinic in Ubon that could do it faster, and my wife found out that a nurse friend of hers had just had her Father done at that clinic and highly recommended it.

So we went down there today and the place was packed. Apparently this guy has a great reputation. It took practically the whole day, but I got the most comprehensive eye exam I have ever had. Several machines, some that I had seen before, and some that I had not. I noticed that the machines that you put your chin on had a tissue liner, which was changed after each patient. A good sign.

The doctor spoke passable English and discussed the whole issue with me. I asked him a trick question about multifocal lenses and he stated firmly that he would NOT allow them to be used in his clinic. He stated that many patients were unhappy with them as they sometimes tended to have a lot of glare, lacked contrast and vision was generally not as sharp. This is exactly what my ophthalmologist back in the States told me a few years ago. His cost ranged from 19,000 to 24,000 baht depending on the type of lens. He recommended a “Hydrophobic Acrylic Aspheric Sperical Aberration“ lens. Even though I have googled it and found several references I still don’t know what the Hell that all means, but hey, the guy is going to be gouging my eyes out so I guess I gotta trust him. Prices are prominently posted, so there is no farang/local price structure. So I was sent off with an appointment date, all kinds of literature to read, and some antibiotic eye drops to take every hour the day of the operation.

So it would seem that in Udon there would be plenty of hospitals or clinics that do this if it’s so popular here. I would start with the major hospital of your choice and go from there. Or perhaps some members who have gone through this recently would care to share their experiences.

Post by **Asiaphile** » February 25, 2012, 9:19 pm

If you want the best of the best, as far as ophthalmology is concerned, go to Rutnin Eye Hospital in BKK (http://www.rutnin.com). That's where the Thai Royals go.

Post by **fdimike** » February 25, 2012, 9:50 pm

Asiaphile

You beat me to it. I personally would not consider having cataract surgery or any kind of serious surgery done here in Udon Thani or Khon Kaen. I realize that this kind of surgery has become pretty routine in the US but this is not the US and ones sight is not something to take lightly. I'm planning on having my cataracts corrected later this year at Rutnin Hospital in BKK.

Post by **jimboLV** » February 25, 2012, 10:48 pm

Well, Mike and Asiaphile, if you truly want the "best of the best" for a routine procedure (even in Thailand) why not go to the Mayo Clinic in the US or I could suggest some other world renowned eye hospitals like Wills Eye Hospital in my old hometown, Philadelphia, and I am sure there are many more. But I guess the prestige of going "where royalty goes" trumps everything else.

Post by **fdimike** » February 26, 2012, 6:10 am

Jimbo
I'm not sure I understand your criticism. I think it's perfectly natural to try to locate the best possible medical care available to care for whatever ails you. Incidently catarct surgery may be "routine" in your eyes (excuse the pun) but it carries some significant risk to include blindness from infection or a rupured lens capsul during the removal of the old lens. I agree that you are not going to eliminate all risk but when you're dealing with my vision I would prefer the best best medical care available in order to improve the odds. That kind of care is not available Udon Thani nor Khon Kaen in my opinion.

Post by **Khun Paul** » February 26, 2012, 7:15 am

Unfortunately I cannot agree, as approx 4 years ago I suffred trauma to my lkeft eye where the lens was disturbed.
Now the options given to me were lens replacement ( but as the muscles / tendons which hold the lens had been ditrupetd then it would need doing approx every 10 years or the other option was a complete lens removal abd surrounding cover and new lens stitched onto the eye, which will never need replacing.

The consultant I saw was then the current consultant at Udon Hospital who did work in AEK , she stated that the work would be done in Udon Hops as AEK and other hospital did not have the operating facilities as the need was less than in the General Hopsital and the eye equipment was very expensive. I do not know if that is still true but it was then.

i duscussed all these options wiith my family and opthamlic consultant friend in the UK and the operation was valid and safe, my friend even talked to the consultant direct to ascertain medicaaly the options and subsequently advised me.

NOW one could go to Bangkok for the operation or even back to the UK but in my opinion apart from spending in-ordinate amounts of money and stressed as family and friends would be a long way away especially here, then I opted for the local op.
it went successfully , I was operated in Udon but after care by Consultant and all other aspects was carried out at AEK. The insurance covered the whole thing including the stay for about 50 k |( the stay was 10 days to ensure no infection and regular 4 hourly drops in the eye 24/7 ) .

So talk of lack of experience/care and even success here in Udon is misplaced and untrue. I have always found the medical care here up to my expectations, and it not so much the standard of the medical side but the after care amid a stress free environment surrounded by friends and family which make getting better quicker and easier . Also the cost of the consults every month for the first year and every 3 months for the second year are so much cheaper when all you have to do is pop into Udon rather than hop a plane to Bangkok, but then thats my persoanl view others may want to spend shed loads of money and say they have the best .......really.

Post by **Asiaphile** » February 26, 2012, 7:25 am

jimboLV wrote:But I guess the prestige of going "where royalty goes" trumps everything else.

What a load of bull! Your comparison doesn't hold any water at all. Yeah, right, you can just buy a bus ticket for B500 to to the Mayo Clinic in the US or Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and have your eyes checked there for a few thousand bahts.
I had my retina checked in Rutnin. They did several eye tests and took both several photo and laser scans of the retina, using the latest equipment. This took about 90 minutes.
After that I was seen by Dr Roy, one of the best retina specialist Thailand has (and, yes, fully trained and certified in the US), who examined my eyes with three different optical instruments for longer than 30 minutes.
Total cost: BAHT 4000!
Of course, a tat more expensive than your Mayo Clinic/Wills Eye Hospital, but probably that's to make up for the 'Royalty Prestige' of the Rutnin Eye Hospital (sarcastic mode = "ON").

Post by **jimboLV** » February 26, 2012, 8:04 am

Mike that wasn't meant as a criticism, just posting my experience for others who may be looking into the same thing. I was hoping others would comment and give their points of view, which you and Aphile did. Although I do take issue with your view of "significant risk of blindness". Any procedure carries some risk no matter how routine. The sheer volume of successful cataract surgery in the area would argue against your statement. Yes, there were cases of blindness at Khon Kaen a while back, and it created an uproar in the press. If there were rampant instances of danger to this procedure I am sure we would know about it.

Well stated Khun Paul. I just cannot understand the constant slams against AEK and the other local hospitals. I am very particular about health care for myself and our family. Whenever I need health care I do a lot of research into the issue, basically "second guessing" the doctors and staff. They have always been spot on both in Udon and in our little rinky dink hospital here in Amnat and in Ubon. What impresses me most, besides the availability of the latest equipment and techniques, is the care and concern shown by the doctors and staff. When my wife had her baby at AEK, we couldn't have been treated any better if we had been royalty. When we show up at the local hospital, the admission nurse usually spots us before we are even in the door, runs over and addresses us by name, wants to know if that cough has cleared up, that I was treated for a few months ago, etc. Then it's kind of cute because she makes her own diagnosis of whatever the ailment is and sends us to the proper office (without waiting in line). It's just my personal opinion, but that kind of caring and stress free experience at the medical facility is a large part of the healing process. Your entitled to your own opinion as well.

Post by **LilRed** » February 26, 2012, 10:45 am

Gentlemen:

Recently, after 15 years of going to AEK Udon, I, with great disappointment, realized that the medical care and practice there was, IMHO, dangerous to one's health. (I am educated and experienced in these matters.)

My family and I experienced many incomplete and erroneous diagnoses; erroneous testing results; ineffective and erroneous prescriptions. It got to the point that we had to check and verify every diagnoses, prescription and test result. The biohazard practices there, were in many instances, very dangerous. (I know. I dealt up close and personal with biohazards all over the world during my 30 year professional career.)

Although listed as one of two care providers in Udon by Blue Cross Blue Shield (under the USG Federal Emplyee Health Plan), AEK Udon refused to accept and process our insurance IAW their contractual agreement with BCBS. (BCBS is arguably the "best" health insurance in the world.)

This was particularly unnerving on one occasion when my young daughter required in patient emergency care while I was out of country on a job. I had fully coordinated with the International Section at AEK and had been assured that AEK would accept and process our insurance, during my absence. After my departure, they absolutely refused to accept or help process our insurance, insisting on cash "up front". This caused major stress and worry for my wife... and I...

We transferred all our records to the other BCBS listed provider. This took 3 visits to AEK and the threat of having our attorney come for the records... and, was only allowed after the principal physician "reviewed and approved" our records release... (This obviously presents the opportunity for the physician to "edit" the records.) The other listed provider is timely processing our insurance directly with BCCS, no fuss, no muss. We haven't been with this provider long enough for me to comment on their practice, but they listened very attentively when I described our problems, concerns and expectations. My first encounter with their staff was smooth. Their biohaz practice was good.

Be very, very careful when treated at AEK Udon. And, yes, I have personal experience with the lady eye doctor. She speaks English reasonably well, but does not well understand English spoken to her. She appeared competent, although her biohaz practice was poor. She was not able to successfully diagnose my problem, and, so, "shotgunned" me with prescriptions. My condition resolved itself after weeks and weeks of pain, visits and testing, not in response to any of the prescribed meds, which I took faithfully as prescribed... Time heals all ills...

If you care for particulars, PM me.

I say, "Caveat Emptor".

Best Regards.

Post by **Jing Jing** » February 26, 2012, 11:16 am

Dr. Sirirak or Dr. New works at Udon Thani Eye OPD on Tuesdays and Fridays . She also works at Watana Hospital in the evenings. I don't think she works at AEK anymore. She is a retina specialist. If you go to she her you will need to eventually go to Udon Thani hospital because AEK and Watana do not have the necessary eye examination equipment. Her older sister is Dr. Chitirak/ Dr. Noey. They make a Mutt and Jeff pair.

Post by **fdimike** » February 26, 2012, 6:06 pm

Maybe the best way to approach this subject and settle the discussion is as follows:

If you're staisfied with the health care for serious problems here in Udon Thani then by all means use their services. Personally I think they do fine job for simple problems. However, when it comes to the complex issues I look to Bangkok where the truely talented physicians practice in hospitals which understand how to care for their patients. I have witnessed two of my relatives being treated in the general hospitals both here and Ubon and could not believe the poor conditions they were placed in both before and after surgery. Discussing the problem with a physician before the treatmnet is somewhat like 3 ring circus and post treatment is sparse at best with the nursing staff more interested in their own personal appearance than the condition of the patients. Wards are severelly overcrowded with patients in beds & on guerenys laying around the hallways waiting for care. I don't consider what I observed to be quality medical care.

I have excellent health insurance which will cover me & my wife anywhere in the world. I see no reason whatsoever for not utilizing it to obtain the best care I can find which at this point in time is in Bangkok as far as I'm concerned.

Post by **rickfarang** » February 27, 2012, 1:44 am

Two cases:

A neighbor lost the sight in one eye after somebody at AEK tried to treat a detached retina. His advice was to go back to you "home country" for anything concerning the eyes.

My mother-in-law had cataract surgery at AEK and though it took several months for it to feel "normal", she eventually felt it turned out well.

With any important surgery, it is important to interview multiple promising surgeons and seek references. Its not fool-proof, but it improves the odds of success.

Post by **Dr. James** » February 27, 2012, 9:38 pm

Hey Guys,

From first hand experience, I had cataract eye surgery performed with lens implantation after the removal of the cataract in Khon Kaen Rama Hospital. Excellent facility and top notch eye surgeon. After visiting AEK and one other hospital in Udon, I decided to look around and was referred to this doctor and hospital by several local Thais. Seems that this is the go to facility. I recently completed a follow up and have no problems whatsoever. Price was right as well. Look em up if you are considering this. I usually use Bumrungrad in Bangkok but found this to be a proper substitute and wholly recommend it to you.

Dr. James