Phacoemulsification Cost in Chennai, India

The cost of phacoemulsification in Chennai typically ranges from $260 to $900 USD (about ₹24,700 to ₹85,400), depending on the hospital, room category and type of procedure.

A typical estimate for phacoemulsification in Chennai is around $490 (about ₹46,500). 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 $260 (about ₹24,700). It is likely to be nearer $900 (about ₹85,400) if a specialised lens or graft is used, both eyes are treated or advanced equipment is needed.

When comparing Chennai packages for phacoemulsification, 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

Phacoemulsification (phaco) is the standard modern cataract operation, using ultrasound through a small cut to break up and take away the cloudy lens, which is replaced with a clear artificial lens.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust makes clear that phaco is done through small cuts with ultrasound probes rather than lasers, generally takes approximately 30 minutes under local anaesthetic and allows people to go home the same day.

The second eye is generally operated on a few weeks later, though both eyes on the same day is possible for some people.

Moorfields outlines standard monofocal lenses for distance vision, EDOF lenses for distance and middle-range vision, trifocal lenses to reduce reliance on glasses and toric lenses for astigmatism, and premium lenses cost more.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust reports clouding behind the lens (PCO) in 5 to 30% within five years and loss of sight in fewer than 0.03%.

Fitness to fly: the UK Civil Aviation Authority's medical guidance suggests about a week after an operation inside the eye, after the surgeon has reviewed it.

In Chennai, the price of phacoemulsification is generally built from these parts:

• Eye measurements and scans: carried out before surgery.
• Lens, implant or graft: a standard or premium choice.
• Surgeon's fee: for the eye specialist.
• Lens: monofocal, EDOF, trifocal or toric.
• Eyes treated: one or both, and timing.
• Setting: surgeon and hospital.
• Follow-up: drops and a glasses check.

Eye surgery estimates in Chennai frequently list the lens or graft, surgeon, theatre, medicines and follow-up appointments separately, so compare like with like.

Eye care in Chennai is provided by hospital ophthalmology departments and by specialist eye hospitals with separate clinics for cataract, cornea, glaucoma and retina.

Hospitals in Chennai can hold NABH accreditation, India's national quality standard set by a board of the Quality Council of India and itself accredited by ISQua, and the NABH website shows whether an accreditation is still valid.

Joint Commission International (JCI) accredits a number of Indian hospitals, and its public directory lets you check whether a Chennai hospital on your shortlist is currently included.

Foreign patients can apply online for an Indian e-Medical visa, and family members who travel with them for an e-Medical Attendant visa; the official visa website lists the current conditions.