Rutnin Eye Hospital
Thailand's first specialty eye hospital — gold standard for refractive surgery and cataract care.
At a glance
Overview
Rutnin is Thailand's first and most prestigious specialty eye hospital. Equipped with the latest Zeiss VisuMax for SMILE and femto-LASIK platforms.
- ✓Thailand's first specialty eye hospital (founded 1964)
- ✓39+ ophthalmologists trained at Mass Eye & Ear, Bascom Palmer, and other top US/UK centers
- ✓Three operating theaters + day surgery unit
- ✓Center of Excellence — APACRS
- ✓Zeiss VisuMax SMILE + femto-LASIK platforms
Our history
Rutnin Eye Hospital was founded in 1964 by Professor Dr. Uthai Rutnin — Thailand's first retina surgeon, who completed his fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary under Dr. Charles Schepens at Harvard. Rutnin was Thailand's very first hospital specializing exclusively in ophthalmology. Today its 39+ ophthalmologists cover every eye subspecialty and the hospital is internationally recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS).
Milestones
- 1964Founded by Prof. Dr. Uthai Rutnin — Thailand's first specialty eye hospital
- 1995Refractive surgery program established (PRK then LASIK)
- 2008Joint center with Gimbel Eye Centre (Canada) for refractive surgery
- 2017Zeiss VisuMax SMILE installed
- 2022JCI accreditation
Services & indicative pricing
Browse what Rutnin Eye Hospital treats and a realistic price range for each service. Ranges are indicative, positioned for this provider's premium tier and based on current Thailand market data — your exact, itemised quote comes from the provider and depends on complexity, implant/lens/material brands, and the number of sessions or grafts.
Eye & LASIK
Compare providers →| Service | Indicative price (USD) | ≈ Thai baht | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Femto-LASIK / SMILE Bladeless femtosecond LASIK or SMILE at top-tier Thai eye centers. | $2,200 – $3,200 | ฿79,200 – ฿115,000 | 3–5 days |
| Cataract Surgery Phacoemulsification with premium monofocal, toric, or multifocal IOLs. | $2,950 – $4,500 | ฿106,000 – ฿162,000 | 5–7 days |
Read prices like a local
- • Baht figures are approximate (≈ 36 THB / $1) and move with the exchange rate.
- • Headline prices exclude flights, recovery hotel beyond the clinical stay, and travel insurance.
- • Premium implant, lens, or material brands and revision work are quoted separately.
- • Multi-trip treatments (e.g. implants, IVF) may split costs across visits.
A ThaiCheckup advisor will turn this into a complete, all-in estimate for your specific case — request a free itemised quote.
Departments & centers of excellence
Doctors & specialists
Technology & equipment
Rooms & accommodation
For inpatient cases (cornea transplant, retina surgery).
Comfortable recovery bay for ambulatory cataract and LASIK patients.
Facilities
- Dedicated 6-storey eye hospital
- 3 operating theaters
- Day surgery unit
- Injection room + laser suite
- Pediatric eye center
- Inpatient unit
Patient services & amenities
- ✓Multi-language coordinators (EN, AR, ZH, JP)
- ✓Free transfers between hotel and hospital
- ✓Visa support letter
- ✓Pre-op virtual consultations
- ✓Records transferred to home ophthalmologist on discharge
International patient services
- ✓Pre-op consultations
- ✓Multi-language coordination
Languages supported
Specialties
- •LASIK
- •SMILE
- •Cataract
- •Retina
Awards & recognition
- ★JCI accreditation (current)
- ★Center of Excellence — APACRS
- ★Thailand HA accredited
Accepted insurance
Payment methods
- •Direct insurance billing for medical eye care
- •Cash
- •All major cards
Location & getting there
Frequently asked questions about Rutnin Eye Hospital
LASIK or SMILE — which should I get at Rutnin?+
SMILE is flapless and preferred for active lifestyles; LASIK has a wider correction range. Your suitability depends on your corneal scan — the consult includes both options.
Can I do LASIK on day 1 of my trip?+
Most patients arrive day 1, consult + scans day 2, surgery day 3, post-op day 4, fly home day 5. Express same-day workup is possible if your scans from home are shared in advance.