Vitreoretinal Cost in Chennai, India

The cost of vitreoretinal surgery in Chennai typically ranges from $1,550 to $5,750 USD (about ₹1.47 lakh to ₹5.45 lakh), depending on the hospital, room category and type of procedure.

A typical estimate for vitreoretinal surgery in Chennai is around $2,850 (about ₹2.70 lakh). 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 $1,550 (about ₹1.47 lakh). It is likely to be nearer $5,750 (about ₹5.45 lakh) if a specialised lens or graft is used, both eyes are treated or advanced equipment is needed.

When comparing Chennai packages for vitreoretinal surgery, 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

Vitreoretinal surgery treats difficulties of the retina and the gel inside the eye (the vitreous), such as retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease and macular holes, generally by vitrectomy.

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust sets out retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease including bleeding into the vitreous, macular hole and membranes on the retina among the conditions treated with vitrectomy.

The operation is largely done under local anaesthetic, with the surgeon removing the gel with fine instruments, repairing the retina and sometimes placing a gas bubble or silicone oil to hold it in place.

The Royal Free advises against flying while gas remains in the eye, because it can expand and raise eye pressure, and face-down positioning might be needed for some days while the eye heals over two to six weeks.

Possible risks include cataract, further detachment, raised eye pressure and, very rarely, infection.

Fitness to fly: if gas is used in the eye, the UK Civil Aviation Authority's medical guidance says not to fly for about 2 weeks with sulphur hexafluoride or about 6 weeks with perfluoropropane, so ask which was used.

In Chennai, the price of vitreoretinal surgery 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.
• Condition: detachment, diabetes or a hole.
• Gas or oil: oil needs a second operation.
• Anaesthesia: generally local.
• Positioning and follow-up: after surgery.

Eye surgery estimates in Chennai frequently list the lens or implant, 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.

If a Chennai hospital runs an international patient service, ask whether it can provide the invitation letter for your e-Medical visa and arrange airport collection, interpreters and nearby accommodation.