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Thailand has become a leading destination for cataract surgery, with JCI-accredited hospitals performing thousands of procedures annually using the same phacoemulsification technology and premium intraocular lenses available in Western countries. Experienced ophthalmologists at hospitals like Bumrungrad and Rutnin Eye Hospital complete cataract surgeries in 15-20 minutes per eye, and international patients from the US, UK, and Australia choose Thailand for significant cost savings combined with immediate scheduling and no waiting lists.
Cataract surgery costs $2,150-$5,200 per eye in Thailand depending on lens type, compared to $3,500-$6,000 in the US or 6-12 month NHS waiting lists in the UK. Surgery appointments are available within 1-2 weeks at hospitals dedicated to ophthalmology, and the complete procedure from consultation to follow-up takes 5-7 days, allowing efficient medical travel without extended time away from home.
Please note that the prices provided are estimations and may vary based on various factors. Additionally, these prices do not include flights or accommodation.
All prices are in USD, unless otherwise indicated.
1. Cost savings of 40-60% compared to Western countries
Thailand cataract surgery costs 40-60% less than Western countries while using identical surgical equipment, techniques, and lens brands. A basic monofocal lens cataract surgery costs $2,150-$2,500 per eye in Thailand compared to $3,500-$4,500 in the US. Premium multifocal lenses cost $4,000-$5,200 in Thailand versus $5,500-$7,500 in the US. Thai hospitals use the same Alcon, Johnson & Johnson, and Zeiss intraocular lenses prescribed by Western ophthalmologists, ensuring you receive international-standard care at Thai pricing.
2. No waiting lists with surgery scheduled within 1-2 weeks
Thailand hospitals schedule cataract surgery consultations and procedures within 1-2 weeks of initial contact. This immediate access contrasts sharply with UK NHS waiting lists averaging 6-12 months for cataract surgery, during which vision continues deteriorating and quality of life suffers. Patients experiencing significant vision impairment from cataracts cannot afford 6-12 month delays when Thai hospitals offer same-week appointments.
3. High surgical volume creating exceptional expertise
Thai ophthalmologists at major hospitals perform 20-40 cataract surgeries weekly, translating to 1,000+ procedures annually per surgeon. This surgical volume far exceeds most Western ophthalmologists who may complete 200-400 annually. Higher volume creates superior surgical outcomes through extensive hands-on experience with the phacoemulsification technique, handling complications, and achieving optimal lens positioning.
4. JCI-accredited hospitals meeting international standards
Our partner hospitals like Bumrungrad International Hospital maintain Joint Commission International accreditation requiring the same safety protocols, infection control, and quality standards as top US and European hospitals. These hospitals undergo annual audits covering surgical procedures, equipment sterilization, patient safety measures, and post-operative care, ensuring you receive care meeting global healthcare standards.
5. Advanced lens technology including premium multifocal options
Thailand hospitals offer complete ranges of intraocular lenses including basic monofocal, premium monofocal with blue-light filtering, toric lenses for astigmatism correction, and advanced multifocal/EDOF lenses providing near and distance vision. Many patients choose premium lens options in Thailand that would be prohibitively expensive in their home countries, using cost savings to upgrade from basic to advanced lenses.
Cataract surgery removes the eye's clouded natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Cataracts develop when proteins in the eye's lens break down and clump together, creating cloudiness that progressively worsens over time. This clouding blocks light from properly reaching the retina, causing blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, sensitivity to glare, and faded color perception.
The surgery uses a technique called phacoemulsification. Your ophthalmologist creates a tiny 2-3mm incision in the cornea, then uses ultrasound energy to break up the cloudy lens into small fragments. These fragments are gently removed through suction, leaving the lens capsule (the thin membrane that held the natural lens) intact. The new artificial lens is inserted through the same small incision and positioned inside the remaining capsule. The incision is so small it typically seals itself without stitches.
The entire procedure takes 15-20 minutes per eye under local anesthetic. You remain awake but feel no pain, though you may sense pressure or movement. Most patients notice immediate vision improvement within 24 hours as the eye heals, with complete visual recovery taking 4-6 weeks as the eye fully adjusts to the new lens.
The intraocular lens (IOL) you select significantly impacts both cost and post-surgery vision quality. Here's what each lens type provides:
Monofocal lenses provide clear vision at one focal distance, typically set for distance vision, allowing you to see clearly across rooms, drive, and watch television. You'll need reading glasses for close-up tasks like reading, using smartphones, or detailed work.
Best for: Patients primarily concerned with distance vision who don't mind wearing reading glasses, those with realistic expectations about needing glasses post-surgery
Brands: Alcon AcrySof, Johnson & Johnson Tecnis monofocal, Zeiss CT Asphina
Pricing: 73,000-85,000 THB ($2,160-$2,515) per eye at most private hospitals in Bangkok
Toric lenses correct pre-existing astigmatism while addressing cataracts, eliminating the irregular corneal shape causing blurred or distorted vision. Without toric correction, patients with significant astigmatism still experience blurred vision after cataract surgery even with new lenses.
Best for: Patients with astigmatism (confirmed through pre-operative testing), those wanting to eliminate astigmatism-related vision problems permanently
Note: Astigmatism must be significant enough (typically >1.00 diopter) to justify toric lenses. Mild astigmatism doesn't require toric correction.
Pricing: 100,000-115,000 THB ($2,960-$3,400) at most Bangkok hospitals
Multifocal and bifocal lenses provide vision at multiple distances—near and far (bifocal) or near, intermediate, and far (multifocal)—reducing or eliminating glasses dependence for most daily activities.
Best for: Active patients wanting glasses-free lifestyle, those willing to accept potential glare/halos around lights at night (affects 10-15% of patients), realistic candidates after thorough ophthalmologist evaluation
Brands: Johnson & Johnson Tecnis multifocal, Alcon ReSTOR, various bifocal options
Pricing: 113,000-135,000 THB ($3,340-$3,995) per eye at most private hospitals in Bangkok
Trifocal lenses provide continuous vision at near, intermediate, and far distances with advanced optics reducing glare and halos compared to older multifocal designs. Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses provide continuous vision from intermediate to far distance with some near capability.
Best for: Patients wanting maximum glasses independence, professionals needing computer work (intermediate) and reading capability, those willing to invest in premium technology
Brands: Alcon PanOptix (trifocal), Johnson & Johnson Tecnis Symfony (EDOF)
Trade-offs: Some patients experience halos around lights at night, particularly during first 3-6 months while brain adapts. Not ideal for patients who drive extensively at night or have high visual demands in low-light conditions.
Pricing: 145,000-175,000 THB ($4,290-$5,178) per eye at most private hospitals in Bangkok
$4,300-$5,200 in Thailand versus $6,500-$8,500 in US makes premium lenses more accessible, though savings are less dramatic than basic lens options.
Bangkok hosts Thailand's most advanced ophthalmology centers, with specialized eye hospitals and major medical centers offering comprehensive cataract surgery services. Here's how the top Bangkok hospitals compare:
Bumrungrad operates Southeast Asia's largest private hospital Eye Center, performing 1,200+ cataract surgeries annually (verified 2022 data). The hospital's ophthalmology department includes 25+ eye specialists with subspecialties in cornea, retina, and refractive surgery.
Cataract Surgery Pricing:
Pricing shown is estimated starting price
Technology and Approach: Bumrungrad offers both traditional phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. The laser technique creates more precise incisions and lens fragmentation, though it costs approximately $500-$800 more per eye. Most patients achieve excellent results with standard phacoemulsification without needing laser assistance.
Lead Ophthalmologists:
Advantages: English-speaking staff throughout, luxury hospital environment, comprehensive eye exams with advanced diagnostic equipment, convenient central Bangkok location
Rutnin Eye Hospital specializes exclusively in ophthalmology, making it Thailand's premier dedicated eye hospital. Founded in 1972, Rutnin has performed 200,000+ cataract surgeries and focuses solely on eye care rather than general medical services.
Cataract Surgery Pricing:
Pricing shown is estimated starting price and USD price is subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations
Specialization Advantage:As a dedicated eye hospital, Rutnin's entire infrastructure supports ophthalmology. Operating rooms are optimized for eye procedures, all nursing staff specializes in post-operative eye care, and the hospital maintains Thailand's largest selection of premium intraocular lenses including brands rarely available elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
Technology: Rutnin invested heavily in advanced diagnostic equipment including optical coherence tomography (OCT), corneal topography, and IOL calculation systems ensuring optimal lens selection for each patient's eye anatomy. This precision measurement reduces post-operative refractive errors.
Advantages: Eye-specialty focus, experienced ophthalmology nursing staff, comprehensive lens selection, competitive pricing
TRSC specializes in refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE) but also offers cataract surgery with premium lens options. The center has 28+ years experience with 100,000+ eye surgeries completed.
Cataract Surgery Pricing:
Patients arrive in Bangkok and schedule consultations at chosen hospitals. Comprehensive eye examinations include visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement, retinal examination, and IOL calculation measurements. These tests determine cataract severity, identify any other eye conditions, and calculate precise lens power needed.
Ophthalmologists discuss lens options, explain surgical procedure, set realistic outcome expectations, and answer questions. Most hospitals complete consultations and pre-operative testing within 2-3 hours, scheduling surgery for the following day or within 2-3 days.
Cataract surgery is outpatient procedure requiring no overnight hospital stay. Patients arrive 30-60 minutes before scheduled surgery for final preparations including pupil dilation drops and local anesthesia application.
Surgical Process (15-20 minutes per eye):
Patients rest 30-60 minutes in recovery room before returning to hotel. Vision is blurry immediately after surgery due to pupil dilation and eye drops, improving significantly within 24 hours.
Both eyes same day or separate days?Most surgeons prefer operating on one eye, waiting 1-2 weeks for healing confirmation, then operating on second eye. This staged approach reduces infection risks and allows vision quality assessment before proceeding. Some patients request both eyes same day for convenience—surgeons evaluate this case-by-case based on overall health and cataract complexity.
Vision improves dramatically within 24-48 hours as eye heals. Patients use prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops 4 times daily, wear protective eye shield while sleeping, and avoid rubbing eyes. Light activities like walking and restaurant meals are fine; avoid swimming, heavy lifting, and bending over.
Follow-up appointments at day 1 and day 3-5 post-surgery allow ophthalmologists to monitor healing, check for infection or inflammation, and confirm lens positioning. Most patients achieve functional vision within 3-5 days, though complete stabilization takes 4-6 weeks.
Final Bangkok appointment confirms healing progress and provides medical clearance for international travel. Ophthalmologists supply 4-6 weeks of eye drops, detailed aftercare instructions, and contact information for follow-up questions. Patients can fly home comfortably at this point.
Total Bangkok stay: 5-7 days for single eye, 10-14 days if doing both eyes staged
Konkai provides free personalized quotes from multiple Bangkok hospitals, allowing you to compare lens options, ophthalmologist credentials, and total costs before making decisions. We coordinate pre-surgical consultations, help you understand lens type recommendations, and schedule appointments efficiently.
Our services include connecting you with hospital international patient departments for smooth communication, recommending accommodation near hospitals for convenient post-operative care, and providing realistic timeline planning for your cataract surgery trip.
Pre-vetted facilities chosen by our team that meet our rigorous standards for quality and safety
Bumrungrad was founded in 1980 and is Southeast Asia's largest private hospital. It is one of the world's most popular medical tourism destinations, treating over 1.1 million patients annually of which many are overseas patients. Bumrungrad was the first hospital in Asia to receive JCI accreditation and has since received awards from numerous other agencies for its medical services.
Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok is a leading center for ophthalmology in Asia, renowned for its advanced technology and highly skilled medical team. It offers comprehensive eye care services, including complex procedures and surgeries. Its commitment to patient safety, quality care, and innovation makes it a top choice for eye health needs.
TRSC International Eye and Vision Center in Bangkok is a leading eye surgery center with over 28 years of experience and more than 100,000 successful eye surgeries. It offers advanced technology, highly skilled ophthalmologists, and world-class facilities, making it a top choice for SMILE Pro, ReLEx SMILE and other vision correction treatments in Thailand.
Praram 9 Hospital in Bangkok stands as a premier medical facility, known for its state-of-the-art equipment and dedicated team of professionals. Offering a wide range of medical services, it is particularly recognized for its excellence in specialized treatments and surgeries. With a focus on patient-centered care, it remains a top choice for both locals and international patients
Cataract surgery costs $2,150-$5,200 per eye in Thailand depending on lens type selected. Basic monofocal lenses cost $2,150-$2,500, toric lenses for astigmatism $3,000-$3,400, bifocal/multifocal lenses $3,340-$4,000, and premium trifocal lenses $4,290-$5,200. Pricing includes surgery, lens, anesthesia, operating room fees, medications, and follow-up appointments. Doctor consultation fees ($100-150) and pre-operative testing are separate. Compare this to $3,500-$6,000 per eye in the US or 6-12 month NHS waiting lists in the UK.
Bumrungrad International Hospital and Rutnin Eye Hospital are Bangkok's leading cataract surgery centers. Bumrungrad offers comprehensive ophthalmology services at Southeast Asia's largest private hospital with 25+ eye specialists. Rutnin specializes exclusively in ophthalmology with 200,000+ cataract surgeries completed since 1972. Both hospitals use identical surgical techniques and premium lens brands, choice depends on whether you prefer large medical center environment (Bumrungrad) or dedicated eye hospital specialization (Rutnin).
Plan 5-7 days in Bangkok for single eye surgery or 10-14 days for both eyes done sequentially. Timeline includes day 1 for consultation and pre-operative testing, day 2-3 for surgery, days 3-5 for initial recovery with follow-up appointments, and day 7 for final check before travel. Most surgeons prefer operating on one eye, waiting 1-2 weeks for healing confirmation, then proceeding with second eye rather than both eyes same day.
Yes, flying is safe one week after cataract surgery once your ophthalmologist provides medical clearance. Air pressure changes during flight do not harm healing eyes. Wear protective sunglasses during travel, use lubricating eye drops if eyes feel dry during flight, and continue prescribed antibiotic/anti-inflammatory drops on schedule. Avoid rubbing eyes during travel.
Yes, many patients combine cataract surgery with other medical procedures or dental work during Bangkok trips. Cataract surgery recovery doesn't restrict other medical appointments, you can schedule dental procedures, health checkups, or consultations on days between cataract surgery appointments. Some patients also explore LASIK or refractive lens exchange if suitable candidates. Discuss multi-procedure planning with Konkai to optimize scheduling across different medical specialties.
Yes, Thailand hospitals use identical intraocular lens brands prescribed by Western ophthalmologists including Alcon, Johnson & Johnson, Zeiss, and other major manufacturers. These are the same FDA-approved, CE-marked lenses implanted in US, UK, and European hospitals. You receive international-standard lens technology at Thai pricing, not inferior or outdated products.
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I made the decision to undergo cosmetic surgery in Bangkok, Thailand due to the high prices in Australia, Unsure about choosing the right hospital and doctors in Thailand, my friend suggested Konkai Medical Tourism Agency, they guided me through everything and their professional team, with strong medical connections in Thailand, made the process smooth.
The surgery went well, and I’m very happy with the results.
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"Konkai helped me with what was becoming a confusing process. After contacting Konkai they quickly found a doctor that specialized in the procedure I requested and helped set up an appointment during my trip to Thailand. I will definitely contact them again if the need arises."
"I live in New Zealand, and my partner and I went on a holiday in Laos (Asia). I became sick and needed an emergency stomach operation. I reached out to this company, and they have been nothing but helpful.
They helped us with translating in Laos; they organised a taxi driver who was waiting for us at arrival and drove us to the hospital, where they organised a scan for me. I only needed to show my passport and an email when I arrived. I was already in the system for the appointment.
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"I can say that the whole medical journey was very pleasant. The information given before the actual start was good. The meeting and intake with the doctor was clear.
Konkai Health was always responding fast and helpful if I came up with questions. And the actual surgery had a good outcome also. Now I just ended my last check-up, and I am very delighted how everything went."
"The customer care at Konkai Health has been great. I was looking at treatment options for my back. They got back to me fast and gave me options to connect with some top doctors and surgeons in Thailand. The doctors assessed my condition, did a video call, and gave me recommendations to fix it. Thank you. I recommend them for anyone interested in medical tourism to Thailand."
"I will say you made it so easy to get everything scheduled. I expected it to take much longer trying to find doctors waiting on responses etc. I was happy with the doctor just going ahead and getting it done on the same day as the first procedure. Everything went well and all the nurses were great. Thanks!"
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