Cataract Surgery Cost in India

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure to treat blurry and hazy vision caused by wear and tear of the eye lens.
Cataracts can be a result of multiple factors, including age, genetic disorders, diabetes, underlying eye problems, injury, and long-term use of steroidal medications.
The average cost of cataract surgery in India starts from 500 USD and goes up to 1600 USD. The cost of cataract surgery depends on the location of the hospital, the experience of the ophthalmologist, and the type of surgical intervention.
There are three types of cataract surgeries performed in India – Phacoemulsification surgery, extracapsular cataract surgery, and robotic laser surgery.
The recovery time for cataract surgery is 4 to 6 weeks.
The success rate of cataract surgery in India is as high as 98%.

Cataract is a medical condition caused by the breakdown of fibers and proteins in the eye lens. It may affect one or both of the patient’s eyes. The condition is usually caused due to advanced age or severe eye injury. Other reasons that may cause an individual to develop cataracts include:

Inherited genetic disorders
Previous eye surgery
Long term use of steroids or medicines
Medical conditions like diabetes

How do cataracts develop?

The human eye lens is present right behind the iris, a colored portion of the eye that regulates the amount of light entering the eye. The light enters the eye and passes through the lens that adjusts itself to focus the light, producing a clear and inverted image on the retina.

As an individual age, the lens loses its flexibility and becomes thicker. The proteins and fibers inside the lens start to break and clump together. This causes the lens to lose its transparency and form a hazy or cloudy image on the retina. As a result, the vision of the patient becomes blurred and unclear.

Cataract surgery in India

Vision with a cataract is like looking through a foggy window that can make performing even routine tasks a big challenge. Fortunately, cataracts can be treated with surgery. However, the cost of cataract surgery in western countries is unbelievably high. Therefore, many patients choose to fly to other countries where treatment is more affordable.

India serves as the perfect location to undergo successful cataract surgery. The cataract surgery cost in India is an extremely affordable option. Moreover, patients flying to India can expect:

State-of-the-art clinical infrastructure
Skilled and experienced ophthalmologists
The latest medical facilities and advanced robotic equipment
Quality care and standards on par with western institutions
Peaceful and comfortable environment for post-op recovery

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What is the cataract surgery cost in India?

The average cost of cataract surgery in India is as follows:

	Type of Cataract surgery	Average cost of the surgery
1.	Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery	500 USD (1 eye)
2.	Extra capsular Cataract Surgery	800 USD (1 eye)
3.	Robotic Cataract Surgery	1300 to 1600 USD (1eye)

Factors affecting the cost of cataract surgery in India

Type of Hospital or clinic – The location and type of hospital affect the cost of the surgery. Popular hospitals located in metropolitan cities may charge more than a hospital located in small cities.
Experience of the ophthalmologist – It is common for experienced surgeons to charge more money, as the patient isn’t just paying for the surgery but the skill, expertise, and knowledge of the ophthalmologist.
Type of the procedure – With improvement in technology, cataract surgery is becoming less invasive with every passing year. As the procedure becomes less interventional, the cost of the procedure increases.

Types of Cataract surgery in India

1. Phacoemulsification

Phalmacoemulsification is the most common method of cataract surgery performed in India.
This method involves making three incisions around the edge of the cornea, which creates a small opening in the membrane surrounding the lens. The incisions are usually less than 4 mm in size.
The surgeon inserts a small ultrasonic probe into the opening, and the sound waves from the probe cause the breakdown of the lens into smaller fragments.
The attachment at the tip of the probe suctions out these fragments, followed by the placement of an intraocular lens at the original corneal position.
This type of cataract surgery requires minimum levels of anesthesia and is usually completed in less than 30 minutes.

2. Extracapsular cataract surgery

This type of cataract surgery is a good option when the patient is suffering from advanced cataracts and has an extremely dense cornea.
This method involves making larger incisions around the edge of the cornea, typically around 12 mm in size.
The surgeon removes the lens as a single piece and replaces it with an intraocular lens.
Finally, the incisions are sutured together, and the patient is advised to wear an eye patch for some days post-surgery.

3. Robotic cataract surgery

Popularly known as laser cataract surgery, this method provides unmatchable levels of precision and accuracy.
It is a faster and hassle-free approach to treat cataracts.
The procedure begins with docking a femtosecond laser machine over the patient’s eye. This helps the imaging system to capture a 3-dimensional model of the eye.
The machine makes an incision around the edge of the cornea, followed by anterior capsulotomy. This gives direct access to the corneal lens.
The femtosecond laser technology breaks the lens into smaller fragments, and finally, the intraocular lens is placed inside the eye.
The entire surgery is automated and performed within a few minutes.
The recovery period in this method is also shorter compared to other procedures. However, the laser cataract surgery cost in India is comparatively higher.

How can Lyfboat assist you in getting Cataract Surgery in India?

World's Most Trusted Medical Advisory & Discount Platform

Lyfboat is a free advisory platform; we do not charge any fees from patients. In fact, we negotiate the price that Indian hospitals offer. In some cases we are able to reduce the cost by negotiating upto 20% of what Hospitals generally offer. We advise the best treatment from the top hospital/surgeon at best price.

What is the procedure for undergoing cataract surgery in India?

1. Before the surgery

Cataract surgery is a safe interventional procedure. But a patient is still expected to follow a few instructions for the surgery to be successful. Some of these include:

Avoid eye makeup or wearing contact lenses at least two weeks before the surgery.
Use antibiotic eye drops prescribed by the doctor.
Avoid the use of alcohol or smoking starting at least a week before the surgery.
Follow a healthy diet plan suggested by the doctor. This is particularly important for patients suffering from diabetes.
Stop taking any form of medicine, including herbal concoctions. If the patient is suffering from any serious ailment, it is advisable to discuss the prescriptions with the ophthalmologist.

2. After arriving in India

Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and may last between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the type of surgery.
After arriving in the country, the patient will attend an initial evaluation with an ophthalmologist. This appointment will follow a complete examination of the eye as well as the patient’s general health. The surgeon will also measure the size and shape of the patient’s eye to pick the best-suited implant.
The patient is expected to fast starting at midnight on the scheduled date of the surgery. Depending on the patient’s condition, the surgeon may advise between Phacoemulsification, Extracapsular cataract surgery, or Robotic cataract surgery.
After the successful completion of the surgery, a patient can leave the hospital facility. The patient needs to have a medical attendant who accompanies them back to their accommodation.

Note – If the patient has a cataract in both eyes, they need to undergo two rounds of the procedure, scheduled on different days.

3. After the surgery

The recovery for cataract surgery is short and uneventful, given the patient’s health is in a good state and they have no additional issues with the eye.
The patient’s vision may continue to be hazy for a few days after the surgery, as the visual system may take some time to adapt to the implanted lens.
It is normal to experience grittiness, watering, double vision, and a red or bloodshot eye after the surgery. These side-effects will improve within 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure.

Do’s and Don’ts after cataract surgery in India

Use the prescribed eye drops as instructed
Take adequate rest for the first 2 to 3 days
Use an eye shield in the night for at least two weeks after surgery
Wear an eye shield while bathing or hair wash
Avoid direct exposure to sunlight for a week
Avoid swimming or strenuous exercises for 4 to 6 weeks
Avoid rubbing the eyes
Avoid wearing contact lenses or eye makeup

Written By Simran Bahia

Simran Bahia is an experienced content writer with extensive research experience in Immunology and Reproductive Biology. Simran received her Bachelors in Life Sciences from Delhi University, followed by a Master's in Immunology from the Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology. Combining her love for science and writing, Simran enjoys putting a spin on standard methods of medical writing.

Verified By Dr. Surbhi Suden

Dr. Surbhi Suden is one of the founders of Lyfboat and a doctor with a renowned name in the Medical tourism industry. She has been working with international patients since 2008 and is a deeply committed professional with a long term vision of transforming the current healthcare scenarios.

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