Cataract is the most common reason for blindness in India. The prevalence of blindness among the Indian population is 1.99%. Out of this, 66.2% of blindness cases are due to cataract alone. However, thanks to medical advancements, prompt cataract surgery can significantly mitigate or, in some cases, prevent the risk of blindness caused by cataracts.
So, if you or any of your loved ones are planning to undergo this procedure, it is vital to know the associated costs, factors affecting surgery prices, cost breakdown of the procedure, and more.
Keep reading!
The cost of cataract surgery in India depends on several factors, including location, hospital, surgeon’s experience, and the type of surgery performed.
A basic idea of the costs has been mentioned below:
Procedure | Cost |
Cataract surgery with a standard monofocal lens | ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 per eye |
Cataract surgery with a bifocal or toric lens | ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000 per eye |
Complex procedures (like femto-assisted surgery) | ₹70,000 to ₹2,00,000 per eye |
Note: To determine the best-suited surgery for you, consult with your ophthalmologist beforehand.
There are various procedures for removing cataracts. Some of them are listed below in the table, along with their costs:
Type of Surgery | Basic Procedure | Cost |
Phacoemulsification (Phaco) | Ultrasound energy is used to break up and remove the cataract by making a small incision. | ₹15,000 - ₹45,000 |
Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery | An incision smaller than Phaco is made, which promotes quicker healing and less post-surgical discomfort. | ₹30,000 - ₹65,000 |
Femto-Assisted Cataract Surgery | It is a bladeless surgery, involving the use of femtosecond laser technology, which provides better precision. | ₹70,000 - ₹1,25,000 |
Extracapsular Cataract Extraction | It is used in mature/complicated cases that require manual removal of lenses. | ₹15,000 - ₹35,000 |
Premium Lens Implants | It includes the implantation of multifocal, toric, and extended-depth-of-focus lenses. | ₹50,000 - ₹1,00,000 |
Some of the major factors that can alter the costs of cataract surgery include:
1 .Type of Surgical Procedure
Advanced methods, like femto-assisted surgery, cost more than conventional procedures, like phacoemulsification.
2.Type of Lens Used
The standard monofocal lenses are more affordable than the multifocal and toric lenses.
3.Infrastructure Provided by Hospital
The costs of the surgery also depend on the reputation, facilities, and advancements of the hospital.
4.Location of the Hospital
Hospitals in metropolitan cities tend to charge more than those in smaller towns.
5.Experience of the Surgeon
Surgeons with greater years of experience and higher expertise tend to charge more.
It is essential to evaluate all these factors before proceeding with the surgery. However, it would be wiser to opt for health insurance that covers the costs of your cataract surgery. This helps you choose the best treatment available without worrying about the expenses.
It is essential to understand where your money goes during a cataract surgery. A general cost breakdown has been provided below:
● Surgeons’ Charges: It covers the charges for the surgeon’s expertise and skill.
● Hospital Fees: This fee covers the charges for the hospital’s operating room, equipment, and staff.
● Cost of Lens: This charge covers the cost of the lens and varies according to the type of lens implanted.
● Pre-Operative Care: Visual assessment tests and other tests.
● Post-Operative Care: This includes follow-ups to the clinic, medications, and eye drops.
Many health insurance policies provide coverage for cataract surgery. Private insurers also offer such plans. However, one of the major drawbacks of some health insurers is the long waiting period of about 1 to 2 years. Hence, one must consider the following factors before buying a policy:
● Coverage limits offered per eye
● Coverage limits offered in a period cycle
● Network of hospitals applicable to the policy
● Waiting period for pre-existing diseases
● Credibility of the insurer
● Basic sum insured
● Service quotient
You can check whether the policy covers cataract surgery, and keeping these factors in mind, you can proceed to buy the policy.
Looking for a reliable health insurance plan for cataract surgery?
Check out the Star Health Premier Insurance Policy today!
A health insurance policy is crucial for all, irrespective of how much one earns. You can go for the best surgical option if you know you have a policy that will cover the costs of your surgery.
At Star Health, we are committed to providing you with nothing but the best. What differentiates Star Health from the rest are the following factors:
● Wide Network of Hospitals
Star Health has a network of 14000+ hospitals across the nation.
● Intricate Network of Branch Offices
We operate more than 850+ branch offices across different cities in India.
● High Rate of Claim Settlements
More than one crore claims have been settled till now.
● Rapid Settlement of Claims
97% of all the claims made were settled within 3 hours of making the claim.
Cataract is one of the most common surgeries, especially in the later stages of life. Having a health insurance policy to cover the costs of surgery is of great importance. To get your cataract surgery covered, connect with a Star Health Agent near you or visit your nearest Star Health Branch Office.
Get your policy today!