Lens replacement (ReZoom) surgery in other countries?

[denver_bob]

Hi i am new to this forum and this is my first posting so forgive me if this question has already been asked and answered.

I am considering lens replacement surgery. I am 60 yrs old. I am aware of the pros and cons and the possible problems associated with clear lens replacement. i am extremely myopic. I would like to use the rezoom lens. My problem is that I have indications of some minor cataract developement but it is nowhere near a problem that would allow for the cost to be covered by insurance. The cost of this surgery would be out of the question in this country. I have been quoted anywhere from 9000 to 15,000. There are several countries where it is in a much more reasonable price range, as a matter of fact almost anywhere outside the US. PLEASE do not lecture me on the "superior" medical care in this country. I am aware that there are many fine surgeons in this country but there are many great sugeons all over the world.

My problem is that I do not how to locate doctors that implant rezoom lenses in other countries (AMO, unbelievably, has been of no assistance with this).

Is there anyway that I could check the credentials of doctors in other countries or an international organization that rates or accredits doctors from other countries?

I am considering India, Thailand and Argentina but I am open to other possibilities. If anybody has specific recommendations based on their experience I would certainly appreciate them.

Thanks in advance.
Bob

[aimee37]

Bob:

I have taken the liberty to write to you because I think that I may be able to provide you an alternative to what everyone else has recommended.  In the event that you are still assessing your options regarding the cataract surgery you are/were considering having, I would like to share with you that I own a company that provides people like yourself information on medical services and physicians abroad, specifically in South America.  My company was founded earlier this year, and its website will be launched in the next several weeks.  As a matter of fact, I have just returned from South America where I am doing exactly what you mention at the beginning of your blog; I

[aimee37]

Thanks for the comments and info Glenn.  It is great to hear from someone who has had the experience.  I am not sure when I will get the procedure and if I will go to Thailand, India, or ?.  Or if I will be able to talk a Doctor in this country into a more reasonable price.  All your information though is very helpful.  I was unaware that the Canadian doctors will not perform the surgery unless it is for cataracts but that explains why when they responded to my inquiries they said they do not perform this surgery.  I did check out the website for Supersight surgery and I am interested in the accomodative lense they use.  It is not approved for use in this country either.  I was unaware that a true accmmodative lense was approved for use anywhere (with the exception of the Crystalens ( Not sure of that spelling ) and I know that lense is not very good for high myopes like myself,  My wife has recently had the rezoom multifocal lenses implanted but it is too early to know the results (she did have cataracts so the surgery was paid for under insurance) but all that I have read and studied does indicate that most people have great results with these lenses after a period of months.  I guess we shall see, her surgery for the second eye was this morning.

Thanks again,
Bob

[aimee37]

Hi Bob,

November past I did exactly what you propose.  I had elective lens replacement.  I had it performed at Bangkok Pattaya Hospital located in Pattaya, two hours south of Bangkok.  I was more than overjoyed with the service and results.  I didn't have cataracts, but my ophthalmologist had finally prescribed trifocals.  After so many years with glasses, then bifocals and now needing another lens to work at arm's length I was getting a touch desperate.

Back to the useful info, you are looking on having it performed within a four week timespan.  I did it easily in six weeks: I had the initial consultation on a Wednesday and surgery two days later (both eyes).  After surgery I stayed overnight in the hospital.  More examinations the next day, I was released and told to get lots of rest.  I had another check-up in a week and then travelled for another four weeks while getting used to the new eyes.  I don't see why you can't fit it into your schedule.

The cost is currently 180,000 Baht for both eyes which is about $5600 USD.

Links:
SuperSight Surgery: http://www.supersightsurgery.com/
Bangkok Pattaya Hospital:  http://www.bph.co.th/pages/main.php
Dr. Somchai:  http://www.doctorsomchai.com/

As a background to my research, I had looked for a doctor to do this surgery electively in Canada.  No one was receptive.  One needed to be having surgery for cataracts.  I was also interested in accommodative lenses, rather than multifocal.  The German-made Akkommodative-1CU, nor the ReZoom or Tecnis were approved in Canada.  I had done a lot of reading on the web and heard a lot of good comments about Dr. Somchai.  Also, he was young, late 30s (seems young to me), and at the top of his game.

By the way, I ended up having Tecnis lenses implanted.  Though I expressed my interest in accommodative lenses, Dr. Somchai stated that I had been using corrective lenses too long and that results with the accommodative lenses would not be satisfactory.  Talk turned to multifocal lenses.  My concern was night vision.  We discussed ReZoom, but the doctor said these had the worst results with nighttime halos.  ReStor was possible, and there were certainly many happy clients with those implants.  I went with Tecnis because of the improved contrast perception -- true!  Yes, there were halos, but after four months they have either diminished or I'm just not noticing them anymore.

Good luck with your surgery!

P.S.  I can also vouch for Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok.  I went there for unrelated reasons.  Exceptional service.  Compared to the waiting I would have in the crowded Canadian public system ... it was just so quick, professional and amazing.

[aimee37]

It's my sense that the doctors who were willing to bill insurance were not doing it for the money.  (Actually, the surgeon's fee is a very small percentage of the cost of cataract surgery.  Most of the money goes to the surgery center.)  Instead, they were doing it to help out a patient who would clearly benefit from the surgery but couldn't afford it without insurance.  I suspect that you could find a sympathetic doctor who'd be willing to do your surgery a few years ahead of time if you had Blue Cross.  I don't think you'd find any sympathetic doctors in an HMO.  

[aimee37]

call Heights Surgery Center at 713-862-6631. Top ReZoom doc. fair price.

[aimee37]

Hi Jodie,

I can assure you that I took no offense and I certainly appreciate you taking the time to respond and your suggestions.  I have no problem with your suggestion of finding a surgeon who is willing to work with me and feels that he can recover the fees through insurance.  I just assumed that most good surgeons would be reluctant.  I personally don't see a problem since i will undoubtedly require this surgery at some time since I have the beginning of a cataract and both my mother and father have had the surgery for cataracts.   I am limited in my choice of physicians by my HMO although I still have some choices.  And since you mentioned it I do have the option of changing to Blue Cross (or other insurance carriers) in the fall.  If you are comfortable with the idea, you could email me directly using my screeen name here on hotmail with the names of some surgeons that you think may be cooperative  in this regard.  If you are not comfortable with this I do understand.

Also I have had my retinas checked by a specialist and they are in good shape and I have been assured that the risk of detachment is no worse then any other candidate.  Thank you for mentioning this.

Again I apoligize if the tone of my previous email seemed abrubt.  I assure you that was not my intention.  Nothing you said offended me in fact some people who know me would say that it almost impossible to offend me lol.

To mlm343
Thanks for your suggestion of Canada.  I actually recall considering "Bochner Eye Institute"  quite a few years ago when i was thinking of lasik (it was a relatively new technology then (that should give you an idea of how long I wanted to correct this problem lol)).  I will check them out.  I appreciate it.

Thanks again to everybody.  I truly appreciate all the input.  Posting on forums is new to me and it is reassuring to know that there are still people out there that are willing to put in the effort to help a stranger.

Bob

[aimee37]

Yes, I have delayed commenting on this, because I haven't seen the Medicare bill yet for my surgery to make a valid comparison. But $9,000-$15,000 seems outrages, I have been quoted $3,000 for the Restor in both eyes over and above what Medicare pays.

[aimee37]

I apoligize if my initial letter was not clear but since the sugery is elective (I do not have cataracts - at least to the degree necessary for surgery).  It is the same sugery but it is classified as clear lens replacement (for vision correction, I am extremely myopic).  My insurance will not cover any costs associated with the surgery.  So I must bear the ALL the costs.  The quotes that I have received were based on that.

Jodie your point regarding "Don't strain yourself on the eye test" is not lost on me but the cataract that I have (only in one eye) is so mild that the doctor would have to be willing to submit a "Fraudulent" insurance claim.  Even if I could find a doctor willing to do this I am not sure I want him or her to perform the surgery.

It is unfortunate that medical treatment is so much more expensive in this country.  I am not prepared to get into a protracted debate on this issue which is very complex.  The fact is there is great quality medical care available all over the world for a much better price.  

Anyway I hope this clears up any misunderstanding and thanks again for all your comments.


Bob

[aimee37]

On the other hand, my cataract surgery would have cost about $10K per eye for a monofocal lens if I hadn't had Blue Cross.  Of course, there's a big reduction for Blue Cross.  Only people without insurance get billed the full rate, which is about 50% higher than what insurance companies pay.  It's sort of like a legal scam.  I imagine that the Medicare rate is comparable (or less) than the rate for private insurers..  

[aimee37]

I'm personally aware of situations where surgeons with excellent reputations have done cataract surgery a few years (well, maybe even a decade or more) early, billing the cost to insurance, when this was clearly beneficial for the patient.  But, obviously, no one should pursue an option that they're uncomfortable with.  Sorry if I offended you.

I do have another suggestion for you, though.  You mentioned that you were very myopic, which does increase your risk of retinal detachment.  You might consider having a dilated eye exam to make sure that your retinas are in good shape before going abroad for surgery.  As a former high myope (with monofocal implants), I can assure you that most American cataract surgeons would insist upon this, especially for us "younger" patients.  (I really got a kick out of being in the "younger" group.)

[aimee37]

Have you considered Canada? You might want to investigate Bochner Eye Institute in Toronto. Highly reputable, cost about 6300 Cdn if you have no insurance. They have a website. Not sure of the URL but you can google it. Dr. Ray Stein has excellent rep. Although obviously more than Thailand seems to be much less than the US. Care is excellent. . Dr. Ray Stein does Restor and mix/max Restor/Rezoom. Not sure about bilateral Rezoom but you can check it out.

[aimee37]

Do you have health insurance that would cover the surgery?  Have you tried consulting surgeons in your area?  I don't know how to say this without sounding like a total cynic, but you could probably find a local surgeon who would bill the surgery to your insurance company.  You'd be responsibile for the premium lens surcharge, of course.  Hint:  Don't strain yourself on the eye test, and don't forget to mention 1-2 of those symptoms that have been bothering you.

[aimee37]

Thank you both for your response.  I have checked out the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok since you mentioned it and found several online articles about it.  It seems that it is very highly regarded.  I have sent them a request for a quote.

I agree the possibility of complications or problems is a concern whether the initial procedure is performed here or Bangkok.  Obviously returning to Bangkok is much more difficult if it would be required.  Ironically my insurance would pay to correct most problems or complications.  Just not the surgery itself.  (I did check with them).

I also believe that although there is a possibility of complications for this type of surgery, it is far from common.  I am also a traveler and fortunately I plan to stay for about three weeks to a month wherever the surgery is performed so any immediate problems can be addressed.

Thanks again.
Bob

[aimee37]

But who is going to provide your follow up care if there are complications?  I've seen plenty of posts here from people who need furthur care, sometimes even explanting the lens, adjustments, etc.

That's what I would worry about.  Care for complications, revisions, etc.  

[aimee37]

Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand has a website www.bumrungrad.com/thailand-hospital/  Google it if my link is incorrect. Anyway, I looked not long ago and you can click "our physicians" then "Bumrungrad international physicians" then scroll down to "surgery", under that is "opthalmology".  When you click that, you'll see a list of names. Click a name and you will see the doctor's picture, the languages he/she speaks, specialty, medical training at what schools with dates, and fellowships, where and when.

I emailed them for a quote which they give in Baht. They give you a link to the current exchange rate.  In January, for the lens and the procedure, it was about $1800 for monofocal, and around $2200 for Rezoom, Restor, or Technis.

The reason that I checked into this is that 60-Minutes had done a story that featured them. Also, last year I read newspaper articles that mentioned them too.   They are described as being like a five star hotel with great service.  Patients claim to regret leaving to go back home to their own countries.  Apparently they deal with a lot of Europeans and of course, other parts of Asia.  I hope this helps.

[Forum-OD-MP]

i dont know how to locate doctors outside of the country, either.  nor do i have any idea how to check credentials, etc.  sorry