Phacoemulsification Surgery in India - Costs, Best Doctors & Top Hospitals

According to available records, numerous patients travel from Kenya, Congo, Ethiopia, and Nigerian countries annually for specialized health care. Most aim to seek better health care that is costly or out of their reach where they live. One of the best countries they consider for high-quality healthcare is India. The medical tourism of this country has gotten the attention of African medical tourists. India is famous for its modern healthcare facilities and for providing treatment at an affordable price. Thus, it is an ideal location for treatments like phacoemulsification surgery.

India's existing healthcare system is highly developed, with modern technology, well-trained eye doctors, and state-of-the-art phaco hospitals. This makes it a hub for patients looking for cost-effective phaco surgery. Cataracts are a vision problem, and advanced-aged people are at a higher risk of developing the disease. When the lens of the eye becomes opaque and hazy, it turns into poor vision and is sensitive to light. Phacoemulsification is a modern cataract surgery. It is less invasive, efficient, and takes a short time to heal from the procedure.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are the opacity layers formed in the lens of the eye. They are a common illness that affects millions of people globally. This condition affects the ability of light to pass through the lens, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. Ageing, prior ocular trauma, intense UV exposure, and the use of certain medications can be risk factors.

Previously, surgeons performed phaco surgery in India by removing the entire cloudy lens through a single large incision. This process was called extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). This procedure often needed suturing and a longer recovery time. However, the methods of cataract extraction have evolved now. The latest technique is known as phacoemulsification. The surgeons break down the cataract into small pieces with a small incision using ultrasound waves and remove it.

Phacoemulsification Surgery Process

Phacoemulsification, or phaco surgery, is a new procedure in cataract surgery. It uses ultrasonic waves to fragment the cloudy lens. Then, the surgeons suction through a surgical opening. This procedure has improved the traditional cataract surgical methods for its faster recovery and minimal obstacles. The unique surgical phacoemulsion surgery in India was developed and enhanced with various techniques in the 1990s, including:

■ Stop and Chop Technique:

This technique involves cutting a channel in the cataract and breaking it into small portions. Then, the portions are liquefied and evacuated through the eye. This method is suitable for working with relatively dense opacities.

■ Phaco Chop Technique:

The surgeons use a particular tool to cut the cataract into smaller parts before emulsifying and removing them. Compared to other methods, this cataract operation by phaco in India is a quicker and less harsh on-the-eye approach and is quite popular today.

■ Bimanual Phacoemulsification Technique:

This power mix glide technique uses two tools in this cataract operation by phaco. The other instrument is inserted through an independent incision from the phaco probe. This method helps the surgeon manage cataracts during surgery.

■ Micropulse Phacoemulsification Technique:

This phaco with intraocular lens focuses on applying short pulses as opposed to continuous energy in an attempt to liquefy the cataract. Compared to other treatments, this method may be less stressful to the eye. Thus, it takes a shorter time for the patient to recover more quickly.

■ City Where You’re Getting Treatment:

The cost of living in each city in India is very different. Generally, the cost of medical facilities is higher in metropolitan areas and large cities. The requirements for living in Delhi are higher than in Jaipur, and therefore, medical needs are higher.

■ Diagnostic Tests:

The contact lens fitting may also include various tests, including a visual acuity test, refraction test, ocular motility test, and cover test, at an additional cost. It is important to note that various hospitals or diagnostic centres may charge different amounts for these tests.

■ Additional Services:

Other aspects can raise the general cost of the phaco with intraocular lens further, like postoperative sessions, medications, and further appointments. It is important to note that the availability and extent of these services may differ from one hospital to another or one surgeon to another.

Experienced Surgeons for Phacoemulsification Surgery in India

We take pride in assuring our patients' complete safety during these treatments and providing them with the best possible post-operative care. Our goal is to ensure that our patients receive the greatest possible results at the most affordable Optic Nerve Treatment in India.

1. Dr. Suraj Munjal

Dr. Suraj Munjal is the best eye specialist in India. He has done many refractive surgery, keratoconus surgery, and cornea transplants with a wide variety of complicated cases. He also has expertise in all types of LASIK eye surgeries.

2. Dr. Suwarn Chetan

Dr. Suwarn Chetan is an ophthalmologist specializing in Occuloplasty and LASIK surgeries. He is one of the top eye specialists in India for cataract eye surgery, refractive eye surgery, and pediatric ophthalmology. 

3. Dr. Neeraj Sanduja

Dr. Neeraj Sanduja is the most experienced eye specialist in India. His expertise includes LASIK surgeries, diabetic retinopathy, corneal transplant, ocular trauma, retinopathy of prematurity, and macular holes.

4. Dr. Sumit Gupta

Dr. Sumit Gupta is a specialist eye doctor in Gurgaon, India. He has proficiency in Cataract and vitreo retinopathy. He is also proficient in LASIK eye surgery with a high success rate.

Phacoemulsification Surgery Cost in India

Due to the presence of various surgical techniques, the average phacoemulsification surgery cost in India is Rs. 75,000. This depends on each patient's medical history and factors like the stage of the disease and therapy type.

Each patient's phaco surgery cost in India varies hugely according to the following issues:

Benefits of Phacoemulsification Surgery

Compared to ordinary cataract surgery procedures, this phacoemulsification surgery is superior in a number of ways.

• Since the incision made is relatively small, the phaco surgery is not as invasive to the eyes, and thus, the patient takes less time to heal and is less prone to infections and other problems.
• Many patients undergo substantial recovery of the sight in a few days and are able to return to their normal function more quickly than they would have thought possible.
• The accuracy offered by the ultrasound technology used in this cataract operation by Phaco also helps minimise the chances of other eye structures being affected during the surgery. 
• Phacoemulsification surgery also has several benefits since most modern IOLs can treat astigmia and presbyopia. It is an outpatient procedure, and patients are discharged on the same day as the surgery, making it a popular option for patients.

Preparing for Phacoemulsification Surgery

One must take some precautions before the phaco surgery to enhance the results of the surgery.

• The surgeon will assess the client’s medical history and other health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension, that may cause problems during surgery.
• Preoperative, you may withhold certain medications for increased risk of bleeding.
• An ultrasound check of the eyes is usually done to check the eyes’ size and shape to choose the appropriate intraocular lens. To minimize the risk of infection and inflammation, the doctor may give eye drops to apply as a preventive measure.
• The patient should be away from food and drinks for at least 8 to 12 hours before the surgery and no alcohol for 24 hours prior to surgery. This surgery can be done under local anaesthesia. However,  it may require general anaesthesia in certain situations.

Phacoemulsification with IOL Recovery

Healing after phaco surgery is faster than that of other methods. After the surgery, it takes a short time before the effects of the anaesthesia wear off, and the patient is allowed to go home. Since the patients can be discharged after the procedure, they are advised to make prior arrangements to go home since vision could be blurry for up to 24-48 hours. 

For tissue repair, avoid eye-straining activities and do not watch TV, use a computer, or read. Medications such as antibiotic eye drops, steroid eye drops, and artificial tears are applied in order to avoid infection and inflammation. Use an eye shield at night to protect the operated eye from accidental injuries. The phacoemulsification with IOL recovery varies depending on the severity of the condition, but most patients are usually able to return to their normal activities in two to four weeks.

Why Phacoemulsification Surgery?

Phacoemulsification surgery is a new modern treatment for cataracts that provides less risk, shorter time, and better results than traditional techniques. It is possible to go through the procedure, prepare sufficiently, find a suitable surgeon, and view the costs and insurance providers so that patients can avoid undesirable situations and obtain the most favourable results. Research on phaco eye cataract surgery in India is undergoing constant development and updates due to the newer technology and research in this field. Also, it holds the potential to deliver an even better and enhanced quality of life for those suffering from cataracts.

Phacoemulsification Surgery FAQs