A Cataract is a condition where your eye’s Natural lens loses its transparency, and natural eye lens replacement should be done. When we tell our patients that they have cataracts – they search for “Laser cataract surgery cost”, the best lens for cataract surgery”, and “best eye surgeons near me” on the internet.
I believe many factors play a role concerning costs.
Factor no 1:
Type of Surgery, Safety and the Technology Involved in doing the surgery:
To do surgeries like Pinhole Cataract Surgery (under 2MM). This surgery has many names, like Laser cataract surgery, Phaco emulsification, and this blog only speaks about phacoemulsification. While there are machines that cost less than ten lakhs with low running costs, one can also find 100 times more expensive machines with significant technological advantages and safety features.
Machines that Help in seamless work flow like types of equipment that scan your eyes and send data to the microscope of the surgeon. This will enable surgeons to implant lenses in the exact position without having to spend too much time outside trying to identify positions. While most of this tech is Super expensive they come with a lot of safety advantages.
Surgeons may additionally use high-quality Consumables like (OVD’s) Visco Elastic Substances. These substances can be used to protect essential cells that can be damaged during surgery. Surgeons can also use these GEL substances to provide a more stable environment. No matter how skilled, the best surgeons will use higher Functionals OVDs to offer more safety to their patients. They never cut corners or costs!!!
Factor no 2)-
Type of Lens to be Implanted
Let us start with the basics – Monofocal Lenses are the most affordable lenses and certain lenses of certain companies are very affordable. Multifocal lenses are slightly more expensive and trifocal lenses are most expensive lenses. If you have astigmatism your doctor may also recommend Toric IOL’s.
Toric Lenses are used to correct cylindrical powers. Patients experience dramatic improvement in vision without having to depend on spectacles after surgery. While lenses are a huge topic, I have tried to cover them very simply and do justice to them in my other blogs and video posted below.
Last but not the Least:
Factor No 3 :
#Cataract Surgery – Experience of the Surgeon and The Volume of Cataracts he performs, Niche Instrumentation. Ever heard of the saying, “if you throw peanuts, only monkeys will come! Now you don’t want monkeys operating your eye, do you?
Becoming a safe surgeon takes years of dedication and continuous efforts in practice to handle volumes without complications. Eyesight is something that cannot have a price tag. It is Priceless, and so are the efforts and dedication of the surgeons to make it safe for you. Offers like “Cashless for Cataract surgery” and “free pick up and drop” are never given by Experienced Master Surgeons. They never employ cheap tactics to lure patients.
Some new platforms on the internet have recently started advertising this online:-
Free consultation by top doctors!!! FREE pick up and Drop!!!! Free LUNCH, FREE Dinner etc and I guess what else will be free at the cost of your vision?
Do you feel top doctors give free consultations? Maybe they are top doctors of the future, and I’m pretty sure they will not offer anything free when they reach that position. So you’ll have to remember if you want to fall for free stuff or go with a surgeon who charges for his years of dedication and sacrifices to give you the quality vision that will accompany you for the rest of your life. High tech doesn’t come cheap!! Remember, Money can be earned back, and I wish I could say the same about vision…so choose wisely.
About the Author:
Article by Dr. Sushruth Appajigowda
Dr Sushruth Appajigowda is a well-known Cornea, Cataract, and LASIK Surgeon in Bangalore, and the chief Cataract and Refractive surgeon at Vijaya Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Nagarbhavi Bangalore. Known as one of the best Cataract and LASIK surgeons in the country, he has over 10+ years of experience with multiple platforms of Machines like ZEISS, ALCON, AMO, and Bausch and Lomb. He has conducted over 10,000 Cataract Surgeries. Dr Sushruth is a recognised speaker in various National and International Forums. His expertise lies in choosing the correct procedure for you based on your health requirement. You can schedule an appointment by scanning the QR Below or clicking the link below the QR and saying bye to glasses forever!
Excellent blog Dr Sushruth. A common man could understand what cataract surgery and their costing. Good job