Cataract Eye treatment in India

cataract eye

The eye is the most beautiful creation by almighty. With the help of our eyes, we can see the beauty of the world. Have you ever wondered what wonderful and precious moments you are going to miss if you ever lose your eyesight? The eye is the most delicate part of the human body which needs utmost attention and proper care.

There are various eye-related issues which if taken proper care with timely treatment can be cured.

The common eye problems in India are:

  1. Bulging Eye
  2. Cataracts
  3. Colour Blindness
  4. CMV Retinitis
  5. Eyelid Twitching
  6. Glaucoma
  7. Keratoconus
  8. Eye Floaters and Eye Flashes
  9. Lazy Eye
  10. Low Vision

Among all the eye problems mentioned above Cataract Eye is very common in adults as well as in children. To combat against this eye issue, let us first understand what is it.

Cataract Eye

We all have a natural lens inside our eyes which helps to refract the light that comes into our eye and helps us to see. Cataract eye takes place when this natural lens is clouded which make the vision blurred. It generally occurs to an adult over the age of 40 and in a child, it could be even by birth or can develop later.

The following are the different types of Cataract:

  1. Subcapsular cataract: takes place at the back of the lens. People with diabetes or those taking high doses of steroids have a greater chance of developing a subcapsular cataract.
  2. Nuclear cataract: forms deep in the central zone of the lens. Nuclear cataracts usually are associated with age problem.
  3. Cortical cataract: is said to take place when a white, wedge-like opacities that start at the edge of the lens and moves towards the centre. This type of cataract occurs in the lens cortex, which is the part of the lens that surrounds the central nucleus.

Cataract Eye in Adult:

In an adult, Cataract could be due to following reasons:

  1. Age-Related: As a person gets old, the vision of the eyes may become weak. She/he could even lose his/her vision totally.
  2. Traumatic: This may take place due to an injury to the eye.
  3. Other problems: Diabetes, toxic substances, ultraviolet light, radiation or medicines such as corticosteroids or diuretics can also be a reason of cataract in an adult.

Common Symptoms:

During the initial stages, cataracts have a less significant effect on vision but as the cataract progresses, symptoms may include:

  • Cloudy vision, double vision, or both of it can be one of the first sign.
  • Images may appear yellowish as colour vibrancy decreases.
  • You may face difficulty in reading due to reduced difference between letters and their background.
  • Bright lights from the headlights of oncoming cars may make it difficult or impossible to drive at night.
  • In very few cases, the pupil, which is usually black in colour, turns milky or yellowish. The patient's vision is reduced to being able only to differentiate light from dark.

Nuclear Cataracts: It begins with yellowing and hardening of the central area of the lens known as Nucleus. With the time, this effect will spread to the other areas too.

Symptoms include:

  • Nuclear cataracts spread the light to when it passes through the lens, lowering the amount of light that reaches the retina.
  • Initially nuclear bring about a temporary development in your near vision, called “second sight.”
  • A person may face difficulty in driving at night.
  • The affected person may face difficulty in discriminating colours.

If proper treatment is not taken to cure the symptoms it will lead to loss of vision that can only be restored through surgery.

Cortical Cataract: It usually begins on the outside of the cortex.

Symptoms include:

  • Initial effect on vision is very less.
  • It develops in the centre of the lens thus can create glare with the reflection of the light.
  • Distance vision, colour contrast and lack of clarity may occur as the cataract progresses.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts: Posterior subcapsular cataracts generally begins near the centre of the back part of the capsule surrounding the lens. These cataracts increase rapidly. Many patients suffer from major destruction of eyesight, including various vision problems.

Cataract Eye in Children

Cataract can be present from a child’s birth or can take place later in life. According to a survey conducted“one in every 250 children will develop a cataract either by birth or during childhood”. Cataracts found in both eyes are known as bilateral cataracts, it is due to hereditary. Cataracts found in only one eye is known as unilateral cataract which is usually not associated with a disease.


The following could be the symptoms in your child if he/she is suffering from cataract, please note:

  • The child may not respond to facial expression or bright and colourful objects. An infant who can’t find small objects on his/her way when he/she is crawling on the floor.
  • The child may shut or blink his or her eyes more than expected times when in bright sunlight.
  • The child's eyes may not focus on the same point at the same time.
  • When in a photograph of the child, one eye may appear white whereas the other has the "red eye" look.

When a child's affected eye may be wandering continuously. This happens in a later stage of cataract. The signs may not develop instantly, it takes few months for all the symptoms to develop.

cataract eye

Cataract treatment in India:

The early detection of symptoms of a cataract may make the treatment effective. If you are in the first stage of cataract then your vision could be improved with the help of eyeglasses, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying glasses. Hospitals in India are competent in performing surgery in which clouded lens will be replaced with the new artificial lens.
A cataract surgery should only be done when the vision loss interferes with your daily routine. The decision of surgery should be jointly made by both the surgeon and the patient. Before opting for surgery, you should understand it’s pros and cons. Delay in the cataract surgery will not cause long-term damage to your eye but it also makes the surgery more difficult.
At times, cataract should be treated even if it is not causing any serious problem i.e. when some other eye treatment requires it, there is some age-related problem or diabetic retinopathy. In case, both eyes require cataract surgery then a gap of 4 weeks is maintained between the 2 surgeries.

Hospitals in India for Cataract Eye treatment:

  2. Address: No. 18/41, College Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006, India

  3. Dr.R.P Center for Ophthalmic Sciences (AIIMS)
  4. Address: AIIMS Campus, Sri Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110029, India

  5. Aravind Eye Hospital
  6. Address:1, Anna Nagar Main Road, Kuruvikaran Salai, Anna Nagar, Sathamangalam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020, India

  7. Vasan Eye Care
  8. Address:No. 20, Thamirabarani Tower, East Coast Road, Kapaleeswaren Nagar, Neelankarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041, India

  9. Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital
  10. Address: Plot No. 153, Road No. 9, Major Parmeshwaran Road, Opp S.I.W.S. College Gate No. 3, Wadala, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400031, India

  11. National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO)
  12. Address:1187/30, Off Ghole Road, Near Mahatma Phule Museum, Shivaji Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411005, India

  13. Disha Eye Hospital
  14. Address: 277/4, B.T. Road, Sinthi, Near Ghosh Para Bus Stop, Kolkata, West Bengal 700036, India

  16. Address: Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L V Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Opp. PVR, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India

  17. Thind Eye Hospital
  18. Address: 701-L, Mall Road, Model Town, Jalandhar, Punjab 144003, India

  19. Dr. Shroff's Eye Hospital
  20. Address: A-9, Kailash Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110048, India

Cost of cataract surgery in India

In India, the cost of cataract surgery is comparatively low when compared to other developed countries. The actual cost of the surgery is difficult to estimate as it largely depends upon the on the type of lens used and at times the reputation of hospital and surgeon is also added to the cost of the treatment. However, a rough estimate of the surgery would come down to between RS 8000.00 to RS 180000.00. Hospitals in Bangalore are considered one of the best and cheapest for cataract eye surgery.
Hospitals in Mumbai are known to have the finest doctors and surgeons in the country. These medical-practitioner are internationally qualified and have gained a lot recognition in the field of medical.
There are many multi-speciality hospitals in Delhi which also specialises in Cataract surgery at an affordable cost. These hospitals are as good as any specialised eye hospital.
After the surgery, patients are required to wear a guard over their eyes for a week or more. Few eye drops are also prescribed. The surgery is painless and there is a little irritation, redness and watery eyes for a few days. A person is free to do anything like walk, watch television, eat normal food and can even go outdoors wearing a protective glass.
If you are looking for affordable and quality Cataract eye treatment, Hospitals in India is the perfect destination.