Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Cost in New Delhi, India

The cost of extracapsular cataract extraction in New Delhi typically ranges from $310 to $1,100 USD (about ₹29,400 to ₹1.04 lakh), depending on the hospital, room category and type of procedure.

A typical estimate for extracapsular cataract extraction in New Delhi is around $600 (about ₹56,900). What you pay depends mainly on your own case. If one eye is treated with a standard lens or technique, your bill is likely to be closer to $310 (about ₹29,400). It is likely to be nearer $1,100 (about ₹1.04 lakh) if a specialised lens or graft is used, both eyes are treated or advanced equipment is needed.

When comparing New Delhi packages for extracapsular cataract extraction, check whether each quote includes:

• Surgeon and anaesthetist fees
• Operating theatre or procedure room
• The lens, implant or graft
• Hospital stay and room category
• Medicines and consumables
• Follow-up visits before you fly home

Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) removes the cloudy lens in one piece through a longer cut than modern small-incision methods, and is still used for some very hard cataracts.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust describes phacoemulsification, which breaks the lens up with ultrasound through tiny cuts, as today's standard method, while ECCE needs a longer cut and stitches and heals more slowly.

Manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) is a modern extracapsular technique widely used in India, and a Cochrane review found vision with glasses similar to phaco at lower cost, although the evidence was of low quality.

Healing takes longer than after phaco, stitches can cause astigmatism, and eye drops are used for several weeks.

Glasses are usually updated once the eye has fully settled.

Fit-to-fly window: UK Civil Aviation Authority guidance for health professionals suggests about 1 week after intra-ocular surgery, after the eye surgeon's check.

A Delhi estimate for extracapsular cataract extraction is usually built from these parts:

• Eye measurements and scans: before surgery.
• Lens, implant or graft: standard or premium.
• Surgeon grade: consultant fees vary.
• Technique: ECCE, small-incision or phaco.
• Lens implant: standard or premium.
• Stitches: needed with ECCE.
• Follow-up: drops and a glasses check.

Eye surgery quotes in Delhi often list the lens or implant, surgeon, theatre, medicines and follow-up visits separately, so compare like with like.

Eye treatment in Delhi NCR is offered both by hospital ophthalmology departments and by dedicated eye hospitals with separate cataract, cornea, glaucoma and retina clinics.

India's national hospital standard is set by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India whose standards are accredited by ISQua; you can check a Delhi hospital's current NABH status on the NABH website.

Delhi has a long record with international accreditation: India's first hospital to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, in July 2005, is in New Delhi, and JCI keeps a public list of accredited organisations.

Patients travelling from abroad can apply online for India's e-Medical visa, and accompanying family members for an e-Medical Attendant visa; check the current conditions on the official Indian visa portal before booking.