Eye Care Options in Phuket: What's Available
Phuket has three tiers of eye care, and knowing which to use matters. At the top end, Bangkok Hospital Phuket has a full ophthalmology department with specialist doctors, modern equipment including OCT scans and laser surgery suites. Siriroj Hospital in Cherng Talay offers good-quality ophthalmology at slightly lower prices. Then there's the vast network of independent optical shops, many of which have optometrists on-site for basic eye tests and prescription glasses.
For routine annual check-ups and glasses, independent optical shops are perfectly fine and much cheaper. For anything more complex — cataracts, glaucoma screening, retinal issues, LASIK — stick to Bangkok Hospital or Siriroj. The difference in equipment and expertise matters for specialist procedures.
Optical Shops and Chains in Phuket
Bangkok Hospital Phuket — Ophthalmology Dept
Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town. Full ophthalmology suite: eye exams, LASIK/PRK laser surgery, cataract surgery, contact lens fitting. JCI accredited. Direct billing with major insurers.
Eye test: ฿600–1,200 | LASIK from ฿35,000/eye
Siriroj Hospital — Eye Clinic
Cherng Talay, Bang Tao area. Ophthalmology department with general eye care, glaucoma checks, and cataract procedures. Good for north Phuket residents. Slightly lower prices than Bangkok Hospital.
Eye test: ฿400–800 | Cataract surgery from ฿40,000/eye
iCare Optical
Multiple locations including Central Festival and Jungceylon Patong. Thai chain with wide frame selection, in-store eye tests (basic optometrist, not ophthalmologist), fast lens production (often same day). English-speaking staff at main branches.
Eye test: ฿200–400 | Basic glasses from ฿1,500
Vision Express (and independent equivalents)
Several independent optical shops operate around Kata, Rawai (Sai Yuan Rd), and Phuket Town. Quality varies — look for shops that have an optometrist on-site rather than just a shop assistant who can read a prescription. Ask specifically for a "mor ta" (eye doctor) check.
Eye test: ฿200–500 | Frames + lenses: ฿1,500–8,000
Boots Pharmacy (Central Festival)
Boots at Central Festival Phuket stocks a range of contact lenses including daily disposables (Acuvue, Dailies, CooperVision). No eye test on-site but will sell contacts on written prescription. Useful for stock refills if you have your current prescription.
Daily contacts: ฿400–900/30-pack (compare: bring a year's supply from home)
Phyathai Phuket International Hospital — Eye Centre
Thepkrasattri Road, near the airport. Less well-known but reputable for eye care with modern equipment. Useful option for expats in north Phuket (Nai Yang, Sakoo, Maikhao) who don't want the drive to Phuket Town.
Eye test: ฿500–1,000
Price Guide: Glasses, Contacts & Eye Tests in Phuket
This is where Phuket genuinely wins. Even mid-range spectacles cost 40–60% less than equivalent products in the UK or Australia. Here's a realistic pricing guide for 2026:
| Service / Product | Phuket (THB) | UK equivalent (GBP) | AUS equivalent (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic eye test (optometrist) | ฿200–400 | £25–45 | A$50–80 |
| Full ophthalmology exam | ฿600–1,200 | £80–150 | A$150–250 |
| Single vision glasses (frame + lens) | ฿1,500–4,000 | £90–250 | A$150–400 |
| Varifocal / progressive lenses | ฿5,000–12,000 | £250–600 | A$400–900 |
| Designer frames (Ray-Ban, etc.) | ฿4,000–15,000 | £100–350 | A$200–500 |
| Prescription sunglasses | ฿2,500–8,000 | £120–400 | A$200–600 |
| Daily contact lenses (30-pack) | ฿400–900 | £18–35 | A$30–60 |
| Monthly contact lenses (6-pack) | ฿800–1,800 | £30–70 | A$55–120 |
| LASIK (standard, per eye) | ฿35,000–55,000 | £1,200–2,500 | A$2,000–4,000 |
| Bladeless LASIK (SMILE, per eye) | ฿55,000–75,000 | £2,000–3,500 | A$3,000–5,500 |
| Cataract surgery (per eye) | ฿40,000–90,000 | £3,000–5,000 | A$5,000–8,000 |
| OCT retinal scan | ฿800–1,500 | £60–120 | A$100–200 |
💡 Insider tip: Bring extra contact lenses from home
Contact lens prices in Phuket are roughly equivalent to online UK prices but significantly cheaper than high-street UK or Australian opticians. However, not all brands are stocked. If you wear a less common prescription or specialist lens (toric, multifocal, extended wear), bring a year's supply when you move. Running out of your specific lens brand in Phuket is genuinely stressful.
Laser Eye Surgery in Phuket: Is It Worth It?
LASIK at Bangkok Hospital Phuket is a well-established procedure done by experienced ophthalmologists with modern equipment. The hospital has performed thousands of procedures and is JCI accredited. If you're considering LASIK and are already living in Phuket, the value calculation is compelling: standard LASIK costs ฿35,000–45,000 per eye here versus £1,800–2,500 in the UK.
The process involves an initial screening appointment (฿800–1,200) to check suitability — not everyone qualifies for LASIK, and the pre-screening here is thorough. You'll need to stop wearing contact lenses 2–4 weeks before the assessment. The surgery itself takes about 20 minutes per eye, and recovery is typically 24–48 hours of light sensitivity before normal vision returns.
⚠️ LASIK caution: don't compromise on the hospital
You'll see advertisements for cheaper LASIK at standalone clinics around Patong and Kata. Do not use these for laser eye surgery. Bangkok Hospital or Siriroj only. The cost difference is not worth the risk of complications without a full surgical team and emergency backup available. LASIK is a minor procedure but it is still surgery.
Getting Your Glasses Made in Phuket
One of the genuinely underrated pleasures of living here: getting high-quality prescription glasses made quickly and cheaply. The optical shops at Central Festival (ground floor, near the main entrance) include iCare and several independent operators. You can often get basic single-vision glasses same-day if you go in the morning. Varifocals typically take 3–5 working days.
Bring your current prescription if you have it. If you don't, an eye test at the shop itself (usually ฿200–400) or at a hospital ophthalmologist (฿600–1,200) will get you an up-to-date prescription. The prescription format used in Thailand is the same international standard (sphere, cylinder, axis, prism), so your UK or Australian prescription transfers directly.
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Eye Care for Children in Phuket
If you have children, annual eye tests are recommended from age 3–4. Bangkok Hospital Phuket has a paediatric ophthalmology service and can handle children's eye tests, glasses fitting, and treatment of conditions like strabismus (lazy eye) and amblyopia. Wait times are manageable with an appointment.
Most international school health programmes don't include eye tests, so it's worth scheduling an annual check-up independently. A basic optometrist check for a child costs ฿300–500 at iCare or similar shops. For medical concerns, the hospital ophthalmology department (฿600–800) is the right choice.
Insurance Coverage for Eye Care in Phuket
Most standard international health insurance plans (Cigna Gold, Pacific Cross, AXA, Allianz Care) do not include routine optical benefits — glasses and contact lenses — in their base plans. However, many offer an optional optical/dental rider for an additional premium.
What is typically covered: treatment of eye conditions (infections, glaucoma, retinal disease), eye surgery required for medical reasons (not cosmetic LASIK), and consultations with ophthalmologists for medical problems. What's typically not covered: routine eye tests, prescription glasses, contact lenses, and elective laser surgery like LASIK.
If you have a condition like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy, your ophthalmology consultations and treatment at Bangkok Hospital will be covered by most international health insurance plans via direct billing. Compare health insurance plans here →
Health Insurance That Actually Covers You in Phuket
Get quotes from Cigna, Pacific Cross, AXA and more — including plans with optical riders.
[AFFILIATE_CIGNA_HEALTH] — Get a Free Quote →Practical Tips for Expat Eye Care in Phuket
Protect your eyes from UV
UV exposure in Phuket is intense year-round. Quality prescription sunglasses are essential if you spend time outside. Get polarised lenses — the glare off water and wet roads is significant. Budget ฿3,000–6,000 for prescription sunglasses with good UV400 protection.
Keep a digital prescription
Photograph your current prescription and keep it in cloud storage. If you lose your glasses in Phuket (it happens — swimming, scooter accident, beach), you'll want to be able to re-order quickly without another eye test.
Contact lenses and sea water
Never wear contact lenses while swimming in the sea or pool. Phuket's waters can harbour Acanthamoeba (rare but serious) and other pathogens that can cause sight-threatening infections in contact lens wearers. Always remove contacts before entering water.
Dry eye is common here
Air conditioning running 24/7 causes dry eye syndrome in many expats. If you experience persistent eye dryness, visit an optician or ophthalmologist — lubricating eye drops are available cheaply at pharmacies (B-AID, Systane, Hylo Eye Care from ฿120/bottle). Don't suffer through it.
Annual Eye Check: What to Include
For a comprehensive annual eye check in Phuket, I'd recommend going to the hospital ophthalmology department rather than just an optical shop. At Bangkok Hospital Phuket, a full ophthalmology exam (฿800–1,200) includes: vision acuity test, refraction (prescription update), intraocular pressure (glaucoma screen), anterior segment examination, and fundus examination (retinal check). This is more thorough than what you'd typically get at a UK opticians, and at roughly equivalent cost to a basic NHS-free check at home.
If you're over 40, ask specifically for a glaucoma pressure test and a macula check — both take 5 minutes and can catch problems early. If you have diabetes, annual retinal photography is important (Bangkok Hospital Phuket can do this).
Frequently Asked Questions
More Phuket Healthcare Guides
→ Phuket Hospitals Compared 2026: Bangkok Hospital vs Siriroj vs Vachira
→ Dental Care in Phuket: Clinics, Costs & What to Expect
→ Best Health Insurance for Expats in Phuket 2026
→ Pharmacies in Phuket: What You Can Buy and How
→ Phuket Healthcare Hub