Macular degeneration, or?

[nkped 1,208]

Periodically talk to the ex who lives out in the far reaches of Korat province. We've been ex for a LONG time (I know, why is it of concern to me ), but anyway... She describes what sounds like macular degeneration--black spot in the middle of her vision in the right eye--she is old enough. Says she has been to see an eye doctor in Korat who has raised the possibility of an operation that could cost around 40,000 baht. Her ability to understand things medical is pretty good but her English vocabulary to convey what she has been told is another thing so I don't know what she would be talking about in the way of an operation. Checking the internet, options for treatment of macular degeneration that could loosely be described as surgical seem to be pretty limited.

 

While I don't rule out anything, I don't think it's a sick water buffalo story, although away from Bangkok, I wonder if it might be the eye doctor's water buffalo.

 

I will be in Pattaya for an extended period at the beginning of the year so I'm leaning toward telling her to come to town and taking her to an eye doc at PIH or Bangkok Pattaya.

 

Thoughts?

[tomcat76 327]

Black spot or blind spot? Small spots, not necessarily "fixed", might just be "floaters", which are unfortunately sort of common past a certain age. I don't think there's much you can do about them except at significant risk of making things worse (some people swear that staring at the full moon can actually make them go away...). Over time, you lose awareness of them. I have a couple myself. A larger fixed blind spot in the middle of one's vision however definitely sounds different and more serious. In ANY case I think getting a 2nd opinion from someone you trust, as you propose, is definitely in order.

[kaiser71 30]

I'm leaning toward telling her to come to town and taking her to an eye doc at PIH or Bangkok Pattaya.

 

Thoughts?

That sounds like a good plan.

[steamer 158]

Did the doctor say wet or dry? ARMD is not to be fracked with. Get her to see someone straight away.

 

Take her to Rutnin in BKK . The consult will be cheap.

Edited August 19, 2012 by steamer

[nkped 1,208]

Did the doctor say wet or dry? ARMD is not to be fracked with. Get her to see someone straight away.

 

Take her to Rutnin in BKK . The consult will be cheap.

Thanks for the suggestion. I understand the significance of the difference between wet and dry. Now if I can just figure out how to make this understood over the phone.

[jacko 8,894]

 

I will be in Pattaya for an extended period at the beginning of the year so I'm leaning toward telling her to come to town and taking her to an eye doc at PIH or Bangkok Pattaya.

 

Thoughts?

If you have no problem covering all potential expenses this sounds like the best option.

Keep doing the internet research too as there is not only the sick buffalo to be suspicious of, the hankering for the latest BMW may come into play.

[nkped 1,208]

the hankering for the latest BMW may come into play.

Na, she wouldn't do that. A new Toyota Hilux on the other hand.

[jacko 8,894]

Na, she wouldn't do that. A new Toyota Hilux on the other hand.

The doctor would prefer a BMW.