Cataract Surgery Cost in India

What is a Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is an eye operation to cure cataract, which causes the natural eye lens to become cloudy and eventually affects vision. The procedure involves removing the clouded lens from the patient's eye and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). While ageing is the most common reason for cataract, it can also be caused by excessive UV exposure, diabetes, eye injuries and prolonged use of steroids.

Cataract is an extremely common, painless and safe procedure. An ophthalmologist or an eye surgeon performs cataract surgery on patients. Moreover, it is usually performed as a day care procedure, allowing patients to go back home within a couple of hours after the surgery.

Types of Cataract Surgery

The following three types of cataract surgeries are performed in India:

1. Phacoemulsification (Phaco) Cataract Surgery

   A phacoemulsification cataract surgery uses ultrasound waves to break the cataract into smaller pieces and suction them out. It is the most common and minimally invasive technique to remove cataracts.

2. Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

   A femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is an advanced, bladeless method that uses laser technology to make precise incisions in the eye, leading to a faster recovery.

3. Extracapsular Cataract Surgery

   An extracapsular cataract surgery makes a larger incision in the eye to remove the cataract in one piece. This type of cataract surgery is usually performed when the cataract is too dense for the phacoemulsification procedure and involves a longer recovery time.

Cost of Cataract Surgery in India

Cataract surgery can be expensive for some people. The cataract surgery cost in India ranges from 12,000 to 2,00,000 per eye. The following table represents the cost of different types of cataract surgery in India:

Note: The above cataract surgery costs are not precise and may vary as per the type of hospital and the city where the surgery is performed.

Factors Affecting Cataract Surgery Costs in India

Cataract surgery costs depend on the following factors. Check them out:

1. Type of Cataract Surgery

   The type of cataract surgery performed impacts its cost. For instance, a femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is more expensive than a phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This happens because the laser surgery is bladeless and ensures a faster recovery.

2. Type of City

   The city where the operation takes place affects the cost of the cataract surgery. For example, getting a cataract surgery in a metropolitan city like Delhi is more costly than in a tier-2 city like Lucknow. This is because healthcare expenses in metro cities are more expensive than in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

3. Type of Hospital

   Cataract surgery costs also depend on the type of hospital where the surgery is performed. Private hospitals offer better care and modern amenities as compared to government hospitals. This is why undergoing cataract surgery at a private hospital costs more than in a government hospital.

4. Type of Lens

   The type of intraocular lens (IOL) used during the cataract surgery also affects the overall surgery costs. For instance, monofocal intraocular lenses are more affordable than multifocal or toric IOLs. This is because multifocal or toric IOLs are more premium than the basic monofical lens.

5. Expertise of the Ophthalmologist

   The expertise and reputation of the ophthalmologist who performs the operation also impact the cataract surgery cost. For example, a well-known ophthalmologist with a high experience of successful cataract surgeries will charge more than an eye surgeon with less experience. This is because experienced ophthalmologists reduce any chances of complications.

6. Single or Both Eyes Operation

   Cataract surgery costs also depend on whether a single eye or both eyes need the operation. Naturally, undergoing cataract surgery in one eye will be more affordable than being operated on both eyes. Getting cataract surgery on both eyes doubles the surgery costs, lens cost, surgeon's fees, operation theatre charges, etc., making it more expensive.

Does Health Insurance Cover Cataract Surgery Costs in India?

Yes. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of a cataract surgery in India. They pay for the hospital day care charges, surgeon's fees, lens charges, OT charges, etc., incurred during the operation. In fact, many plans also cover non-medical expenses incurred during the day care procedure. However, policyholders must check their policy documents carefully to know the exact scope of coverage.

However, all health insurance for cataract surgery provides coverage after a waiting period during which no claims can be filed with the insurance company. While some plans cover cataract surgery after an initial waiting period of 30 days, others consider it as a specific procedure and cover it after a waiting period of 1 to 3 years.

Moreover, if a cataract was detected before buying the mediclaim policy, it will be considered a pre-existing condition. In this case, a pre-existing disease waiting period of 1 to 3 years has to be served before a claim can be raised.

Tips to Recover from a Cataract Surgery

Take a look at a few tips to recover from a cataract surgery:

• Use eye drops after the surgery as prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
• Avoid soap, shampoo or water from directly entering the eyes.
• Do not rub or put pressure on the eyes.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes when stepping outside the house.
• Avoid swimming or applying eye makeup for at least 2-3 weeks.
• Use an eye shield while sleeping for at least a week after the surgery.
• Avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting or bending until the eyes recover.