The cost of cataract surgery in India depends on multiple factors.
The centre or hospital where the patient opts for surgery.
There are government centres, Trust hospitals, corporate hospitals and private hospitals or private eye centres.
Trust hospitals and government hospitals offer basic cataract surgery for free under various schemes and funding for National prevention of blindness programmes. There is usually no choice in the material or surgeon however this is a very good option for those who cannot afford surgery and these programmes are a large contributor to the goal of eradication preventable blindness in India.
Private centres offer perks of faster appointments, good waiting areas, specific surgeons, higher end technology and higher end materials to be used with more customizable surgical plans. Some private eye centres and hospitals also offer better post-operative care rooms, air-conditioned areas, more personal care.
Experience of the cataract surgeon
The experience of the cataract surgeon is a determining factor for the package and quality of surgery. Novice surgeons may charge less, and more experienced surgeons charge more. However, there are many more factors to consider.
The best cataract surgeon will charge higher rates for surgery.
Type of cataract surgery
There are broadly 2 types of cataract surgery:
- Manual cataract surgery which may be small incision surgery or conventional. This may be with or without sutures. This is the basic and lower cost option requiring a non-foldable lens. These surgeries are done in mass camp scenario as well as in private set up for lower packages. This is not a frequently performed surgery in our set up unless indicated.
- Phacoemulsification cataract surgery
This surgery is done using a special machine using a micro incision, sutures are usually not required, and anesthesia used can be topical or drop anesthesia.
This is a no injection, no stitch surgery.
Phacoemulsifcation cataract surgery is a more advanced surgery requiring less time for recovery and giving faster visual results.
The cost of cataract surgery has a vast range depending on the materials used, the operating surgeon and centre.
The range of cataract packages at our centre is between Rs. 18000- up to Rs. 1.3 lacs ++.
Yes, this is a huge range and the following points will explain this better.
Materials used during the surgery
Intraocular lens Implants
During cataract surgery after removing the cataract an intraocular lens or IOL is implanted in the eye.
The IOL can be Made in India or Imported lens for cataract surgery.
Different lenses have different technology such as UV light blocking, special shape of the lens, offering different advantages to the patient.
Lenses may be multifocal lenses in cataract surgery which have multiple focus points thus eliminating the need for spectacles after surgery. They are special toric lenses to correct astigmatism, or correct presbyopia, thus eliminating the need for reading glasses.
Each technology adds to the cost of the lens and thereby to the cost of the surgery.
What lens should we put?
Think of it as buying a car. A Maruti car does essentially the same function as a Mercedes car, which is take you from point A to B.
However, the user experience differs greatly.
Similarly, there are hundreds of IOLs in the market, and each one vastly differs in price, application, and user experience.
Intraocular lens implanted during surgery is one of the key determinants of the package cost, but not the only factor.
Broadly,
Phacoemulsification with Basic Indian foldable lens packages start at Rs 18,000 upwards*
Imported foldable lens packages start at Rs.30,000 and upwards*
More advanced lenses which help to block UV, have a special lens design, and minimize the use of spectacle range from Rs.50,000 to up to Rs.1,30,000 per eye*
*These rates keep changing as per cost of materials in the market.
*These figures are only indicative and exact figures differ from centre to centre and surgeon.
*Every eye is different and may need a customized treatment with ‘Add ons’ to achieve ideal results.
Additional materials during surgery:
Using higher quality imported jellies in the eye and fluids which help patient recovery and protect the delicate tissues in the eye add to the cost of surgery.
Add ons:
Certain patients may have an underlying weakness in the lens support, non-dilating pupil or numerous eye comorbidities that may need additional intervention and devices. These also add to the cost.
To summarise and simplify, cataract surgery is a very broad term for the potential options and technology.
Each eye needs a customized surgical plan and every patient is different.
What one person may need as per their lifestyle, another may not.
It is best to visit a recommended centre where you can trust your Eye specialist and discuss your budget, concerns, lifestyle, underlying medical conditions. This will enable your Ophthalmologist to recommend what is most suited for you.
Remember to look for only a board-certified ophthalmologist with MBBS degree, followed by a specialized degree in Ophthalmology MS, DO or DNB. These practitioners are qualified and trained to perform cataract surgery.