Cataracts impact millions of people in India every year, and a large number of them come to Mumbai to get them treated. Whether it’s a gradual blur in your day-to-day or a physician picks out a lens clouding in an optical exam, care for cataracts in Mumbai is world-class and available at a fraction of the cost of care outside of India. This guide captures the basics of giving an overview of the pain, cost, speed, and multiple steps to recovery involved with cataract surgery.
Cataract symptoms
There’s a lot of prep work before a consultation, which is the first step in addressing an issue. The best way to attempt to maintain the highest level of visual acuity is to get a baseline and work back from there to avoid additional complications.
Symptoms of cataracts include:
- Gradual, persistent clouding or blurring in vision.
- A growing discomfort when viewing bright lights and the presence of halos around light sources, or an increase in glare.
- Colours seem to lose intensity or take on a yellow tint.
- Even large fine print is difficult to read, and this continues to decline with increasing lens prescriptions.
- New lens prescriptions seem to offer no improvement.
- The presence of diplopia in one eye.
Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness, and according to the WHO, it accounts for 20 million people (51% of the world’s blindness). A similar concern plagues India. When the WHO reports the blindness data, it emphasizes the need for cataracts to be treated with surgical care at the earliest possible opportunity.
If you regularly notice two or more of these cataract symptoms, you should urgently see an ophthalmologist.
A Step-by-Step Guide on How Cataract Surgery Works in Mumbai
Cataract surgery in Mumbai is done following the international standard of care. The natural lens of the eye that has developed cataracts is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). The entire procedure is done in under 30 minutes per eye and is done under local anaesthesia.
Main Surgical Techniques :
- Phacoemulsification (Phaco): This method is the gold standard and involves the doctor making a small cut and using ultrasound waves to emulsify the cataract and then suck the particles out. This technique has a shorter recovery time and does not usually require sutures.
- MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery): This is an improved version of Phaco with a cut size that is under 1.8 mm. This reduced incision size causes less trauma and a faster recovery.
- FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery): This method is the most advanced of the three. The laser is used to make the cuts and to soften the cataract before the doctor removes it. This method is suited for patients with more difficult and complex lens requirements.
Recovery After Having Cataract Surgery in Mumbai
Recovery after cataract surgery in Mumbai can be expedited by following your surgeon’s instructions.
A week-by-week guide for the recovery timeline is listed below to provide a realistic idea of what the recovery is like:
- Day 1-2: There is a small chance of experiencing discomfort, some watering, and a degree of light sensitivity. The eye shield should be worn at night for protection. Initially, hazy vision should be expected.
- Days 3-7: Most patients see significant improvement in vision. You can begin light activities such as reading and watching TV. Avoid touching your eye.
- Weeks 2-4: You will come back for your first follow-up appointment. You can resume driving, light exercise, and desk work. Finish your prescription antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.
- Months 1-3: Your vision should be stable by now. Your doctor may give you a new prescription for glasses. You may restart physical activities like swimming and contact sports after a doctor’s clearance.
A study published this year by the National Institute of Health found that over 95% of people without any existing eye problems after cataract surgery saw improvements in vision. This demonstrates why cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective elective surgeries in the world.
How to Pick the Best Hospital for Your Cataract Surgery in Mumbai
Mumbai has over 50 eye hospitals. Focusing on the following will help you choose the best one for your cataract surgery in Mumbai:
- The surgical technique your eye doctor in Mumbai recommends should be available.
- Pricing is transparent, with estimates given in writing before you are admitted.
- The vitreoretinal surgeon should be experienced in case of any complications.
- Post-operative follow-up appointments should be easy to schedule
Final Thoughts
Don’t hesitate if you or a family member has cataract symptoms like blurry vision, seeing halos, or colour-fading. In Mumbai, you can get advanced cataract surgery from expert surgeons at reasonable rates. To get the best results, you need to know exactly how much cataract surgery in Mumbai costs. You should also talk to your eye doctor in Mumbai about the best intraocular lens (IOL) for your daily activities and follow their recovery instructions.