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Dr. Sanjay Dhawan

Ophthalmologist
36 years experience overall
  
1200 Consultation fee at clinic

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Ophthalmologist
24 years experience overall

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Ophthalmologist
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750 Consultation fee at clinic

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32 years experience overall
  
600 Consultation fee at clinic

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23 years experience overall
  
1000 Consultation fee at clinic

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Ophthalmologist
34 years experience overall

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19 years experience overall
  
800 Consultation fee at clinic

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25 years experience overall
  
700 Consultation fee at clinic

Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgeries Doctors In India

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 (97 Reviews & Ratings)
Cataract Surgery in India

What is cataract? 

It has become almost normal for people to be diagnosed with cataract after the age of 50 years.  In this condition, clouding occurs in the natural lenses of the eyes, which lie behind the iris and the pupil. Cataract may occur as a result of a past eye surgery such as ICL, or due to aging, genetic disorder, diabetes, exposure to ultraviolet rays or radiation, or eye trauma or any eye injury which changes the tissue of the eye lens. When cataract occurs, the natural lens of the eyes become hazy due to protein denaturation. This prevents light from passing through the lens, clouding the vision. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and takes around 30 to 45 minutes. 

Please Note: Cataract surgery is done on one eye at a time. The surgery on the next eye is performed only after the complete recovery of the first eye.

To know more about cataracts, how do cataracts form, who is prone, and the symptoms of cataracts please see: Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment


Am I an ideal candidate or eligible for cataract surgery?

You are an ideal candidate for cataract surgery if you are :

  1. experiencing cloudy vision
  2. seeing bright colors as faded
  3. experiencing double vision
  4. experiencing light sensitivity
  5. experiencing poor night vision
  6. not pregnant and nursing
  7. cataracts are impeding your daily activities such as driving, reading, cooking, or your outdoor activities
  8. not experiencing dry eyes


How is the cataract surgery done? 

Cataract surgery involves the following steps: 

  1. At the outset, the doctor applies drops to your eye which dilate your pupil.
  2. The area around your eye is then washed and cleansed.
  3. Thereafter, the doctor injects anesthesia into the tissue of your eye. Alternatively, anesthesia can also be administered as drops.
  4. To prevent you from blinking, eyelid holders are used to keep your eyelids open and hold them in place.

There are two different methods for removing cataract from your eyes:

  • Phacoemulsification
  • Extracapsular

Phacoemulsification

In the phacoemulsification procedure:

  1. Using a fine scalpel or laser, the doctor makes three-minute incisions, less than 1 - 4 mm on the side of the cornea.
  2. He creates an opening through the capsule of the lens, through which he inserts a small probe emitting ultrasound waves. The ultrasound waves break the cloudy lens into fragments.
  3. The doctors suctions out the fragments through the incisions.
  4. He then injects a small artificial intraocular lens made of plastic, silicone, or acrylic compounds through an incision.
  5. Once inside, the artificial lens unfolds automatically and takes up the position of the natural lens.
  6. Once the artificial lens is in position inside the eye the procedure is complete.
  7. No sutures are required as the incisions made are very minute.

This artificial lens almost always lasts for the remainder of a person’s life. 


Extracapsular

In the extracapsular method of cataract surgery:

  1. The doctor makes a rather large incision (10-12 mm) on the side of the cornea.
  2. Through the incision, the doctor removes the entire cloudy lens as one single piece.
  3. He then inserts an artificial lens through the opening to replace the natural lens.
  4. After inserting the artificial lens the doctor sutures the incision. In this procedure, since the incision is large sutures are required. These sutures do not need to be removed.

The recovery period from the extracapsular cataract surgery is longer compared to the phacoemulsification cataract surgery due to the large size of the incision. 


Are there any side effects of cataract surgery? 

After the cataract surgery you will:

  • be sensitive to bright light
  • feel as if there is a foreign body in your eye
  • experience blurred vision
  • mild itchiness
  • stickiness
  • pain in the eye
  • dry eyes after the surgery which is a common side-effect and gradually resolves as the eye heals (You can also use lubricating eye drops after consulting with the doctor till such time that the dry eye syndrome subsides).

These side effects are completely normal and usually heal in a couple of days as the eye begins to heal. 


More serious complications which can occur are:

  • infections such as endophthalmitis
  • decreasing vision
  • increasing pain
  • swelling around the eyes
  • inflammation
  • seeing floaters
  • swelling of the retina due to fluid build up between the layers of the retina which affects the eyesight
  • retention of a piece of cataract within the eye
  • swelling of the cornea due to fluid build up
  • retinal detachment when the retina detaches from the inner wall of the eye


These complications, however, are extremely rare. If they do occur, you will need to contact the doctor immediately. 

Very rarely, a complication called posterior lens capsule opacification (PCO) occurs after cataract surgery.  This occurs when the capsule holding the lens may become cloudy, sometime after the cataract surgery or even in the months following the surgery. This occurs when the epithelial cells which remain after the cataract surgery grow on the capsule. PCO can be easily treated with a laser procedure that removes the hazy part of the capsule.  


Are there any pre-surgery and post-surgery guidelines? 

The first step of cataract surgery is the eye evaluation done by the cataract surgeon. Your eye will be examined and the doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle to understand your expectations from the surgery, the kind of vision you seek to have after the surgery. This evaluation will also help your surgeon to find out what type and power of lenses you require.  The doctor may also advise you to undergo additional health checkup before the surgery. 

Before the surgery, you will be prescribed a preoperative eye drop, which you need to apply on the eye which is to be operated, as directed before the surgery.

On the day of the surgery:

  • make sure to wear comfortable clothes
  • do not apply any makeup, cream or lotion on your face and especially avoid any eye makeup
  • you will need to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and fro on the day of the surgery
  • make sure to eat your regular meals before the operation


After the surgery :

  • your vision will be blurred for the first few days
  • it is advisable not to go out for a few days after the surgery to avoid any kind of sudden injury, and direct sunlight
  • you need to wear the sunglasses continuously even inside the house, it will help your eyes feel less sensitive to light
  • it is very normal to experience a little eye irritation after the surgery, or even eye discharge
  • you should refrain from rubbing your eyes or splashing water on your eyes for at least two weeks after the surgery
  • do not use any face wash, or soap on your face for two weeks after the surgery, instead, you can use baby wipes, or makeup wipes to clean your face
  • do not shampoo your hair during the first week after the surgery. If you do wish to shampoo the next week, make sure that the shampoo does not get into your eyes
  • avoid the shower and hot tubs
  • while sleeping you can use eye shields which will protect your eyes if you inadvertently try to rub them in your sleep
  • you will be advised to avoid any form of strenuous activity or exercise such as gardening, weight-lifting, jogging, swimming, yoga, or aerobics.
  • you will also be advised by the doctor to not bend over for any purpose for a couple of days to avoid putting any extra strain on your eye
  • you should refrain from driving till you are absolutely confident that your vision is clear and stable.


How long will it take to recover from cataract surgery?

It will take around 6 - 10 weeks to completely heal from cataract surgery. 


What is the cost of cataract surgery in India? 

Cost of cataract surgery can vary depending upon the city/locality,  clinic/hospital type & amenities, experience of the provider, the technology used, type of lens used, whether surgery is required in both eyes or one eye, and patient's general health condition. Typically, the cost of cataract surgery in India may range from Rs. 25,000 - Rs. 65,000 for each eye.

Please consult your doctor to get the exact treatment plan and price quote suiting your unique needs.


Are the results of cataract surgery permanent?

Cataract surgery results are considered to be permanent.

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