Cataract Surgery
A short, day-care operation that removes the cloudy natural lens of the eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens — through a tiny opening, usually with just numbing drops, and with most patients noticing brighter, sharper vision within a few days.
15–30 minutes
Day care, home the same day
Numbing drops or local, you stay awake
In 2–3 days
Overview
Perhaps reading the newspaper has become a struggle, oncoming headlights dazzle you at night, colours look faded, or your glasses number keeps changing. Perhaps an elderly parent has stopped recognising faces across the room. These are typical signs of cataract — one of the most common causes of poor vision with age, and one that surgery can reliably treat.
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, which sits behind the coloured iris and focuses light onto the retina. With age — and earlier with diabetes, long-term steroid use, eye injury or strong sun exposure — the lens slowly turns cloudy, like frosted glass, and vision blurs. Spectacles cannot clear a cataract; the only effective treatment is to remove it.
In phacoemulsification (phaco) surgery, the eye surgeon makes a tiny opening of about 2–3 mm at the edge of the cornea, breaks up the cloudy lens with ultrasound energy and gently suctions it out. A folded intraocular lens (IOL) is then placed inside the natural lens capsule, where it unfolds and stays permanently. The opening usually seals on its own, without stitches.
At SKS Hospital, cataract surgery is done by our ophthalmology team as a day-care procedure. Before surgery we examine your eyes thoroughly, measure the right lens power and review your blood sugar and blood pressure, so that the operation is safe and the result as good as possible.
Why it's done
Cataract surgery is advised when clouding of the lens is affecting your vision or the health of your eye. There is no need to wait for the cataract to become “ripe”. Common reasons include:
- Blurred, cloudy or dim vision that new glasses no longer correct
- Glare and haloes around lights, and difficulty driving at night
- Frequent changes in spectacle number, or new short-sightedness later in life
- Faded colours, or needing much more light to read, sew or cook
- Difficulty with daily tasks, work or recognising faces, and a higher risk of falls
- A dense cataract that blocks the view of the retina in diabetes, or that raises eye pressure
Is it right for you?
Usually a good fit
- Cataract is confirmed on examination as the main cause of your reduced vision
- Poor vision is affecting your reading, work, driving or independence
- Your blood sugar and blood pressure are reasonably controlled
- You can lie fairly flat and still for about 20–30 minutes
May not be suitable
- An active eye infection, a red eye or inflamed eyelids — until treated
- Very high blood sugar or blood pressure on the day of surgery — surgery is postponed until they are controlled
- Vision loss mainly due to another problem, such as severe glaucoma or retinal damage, where surgery may help only a little
- A very early cataract that does not yet bother you — regular review and updated glasses may be enough for now
Types and techniques
Phaco (small-incision) surgery
The technique we routinely use: the cloudy lens is broken up with ultrasound through a 2–3 mm opening and replaced with a foldable lens. Stitches are usually not needed, and vision recovers quickly.
Manual small-incision surgery (SICS)
Some very dense, hard cataracts are better removed whole through a slightly larger, self-sealing tunnel in the white of the eye. It is safe and effective, though vision may take a little longer to settle. Your surgeon will explain if this applies to you.
Choosing your lens (IOL)
A standard monofocal lens gives clear distance vision, and most people still need reading glasses afterwards. Depending on your eyes, options may include toric lenses that also correct astigmatism, or multifocal lenses that reduce dependence on glasses but can cause some glare at night. We explain which suit your eyes, work and budget.
One eye at a time
If both eyes have cataract, they are usually operated separately, a few days to a few weeks apart, so that the first eye can settle and the lens power for the second eye can be fine-tuned if needed.
Preparing for the procedure
- A complete eye examination — vision, eye pressure and a dilated check of the retina — to confirm that cataract is the cause and to look for other eye problems
- Biometry: quick, measurements of the length and curve of your eye to calculate the correct power of the artificial lens
- Blood sugar, BP and, as advised, an ECG and physician check; continue your usual BP and diabetes medicines unless told otherwise
- Tell us if you take blood thinners or prostate medicines such as tamsulosin, or have any allergies — do not stop any medicine on your own
- Antibiotic eye drops may be started a day or two before surgery; wash your face and hair the day before and avoid eye make-up
- On the day, have a light breakfast unless told otherwise, wear loose clothes, and come with a family member who can take you home
The procedure, step by step
Getting the eye ready
Dilating drops widen your pupil over about 30–60 minutes. The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops or, sometimes, a small injection around the eye. The skin around the eye is cleaned and a sterile sheet is placed over your face with an opening for the eye; you can breathe normally throughout.
Tiny opening and lens removal
A small clip holds the eyelids open, so you do not need to worry about blinking. Through a 2–3 mm opening, a round window is made in the front of the lens capsule, and the cloudy lens is broken up with ultrasound and suctioned out. You stay awake, see bright lights and shapes, and may feel light pressure or cool fluid — but not pain.
Placing the new lens
The folded artificial lens is injected through the same opening into the empty capsule, where it unfolds and centres itself. It stays in place for life and cannot be felt.
Finishing and going home
The opening usually seals itself, antibiotic is given in the eye and a protective shield or pad is applied. The operation itself usually takes 15–30 minutes. After a short rest and a check by the team, you go home the same day with your eye drops and written instructions.
Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Clearer, brighter vision and truer colours — most patients notice improvement within a few days
- Less glare and better night vision, making walking, stairs and driving safer
- Quick day-care surgery, with no stitches in most cases
- A permanent lens — the cataract cannot grow back
Possible risks
- Grittiness, watering, redness or blurred vision for the first few days — common, and settles with drops
- Clouding of the capsule behind the new lens (posterior capsule opacification) months or years later, cleared with a short outpatient laser treatment
- Raised eye pressure, or swelling of the cornea or the centre of the retina (macular oedema) after surgery, usually treated with drops
- A tear in the lens capsule during surgery in a small minority of patients, which may need extra steps or a second procedure
- Serious problems such as infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis) or retinal detachment are rare — infection affects fewer than 1 in 1,000 patients — but need urgent treatment
Recovery timeline
Same day
Vision is often hazy for the first few hours and the eye may feel gritty. Rest at home, keep the shield on as advised and do not rub the eye. Mild discomfort can be eased with a simple painkiller such as paracetamol.
Day 1 to 7
You are checked the next day or within a few days. Use your eye drops exactly as prescribed, wear the shield while sleeping for about a week and protective glasses outdoors. Keep water, soap and dust out of the eye, and avoid bending low or lifting heavy weights. Reading, TV and walking are fine, and most people return to light routine in 2–3 days.
Weeks 2 to 4
Vision keeps improving as the eye settles. Continue the drops, usually for 3–4 weeks, reducing them as advised. Avoid swimming, dusty or smoky places, including chulha smoke and crop burning, and eye make-up. Ask your doctor before driving or returning to heavy or dusty work.
Around 1 month
A final check is done about 4 weeks after surgery, when new glasses — usually for reading, and for distance if needed — are prescribed. The second eye is often planned around this time or earlier. Continue regular eye check-ups, especially if you have diabetes or glaucoma.
When to call your doctor
- Increasing pain in the eye that is not relieved by a simple painkiller
- Worsening vision after it had been improving, or a sudden drop in vision
- Increasing redness, swelling of the eyelids or a sticky discharge
- New floaters, flashes of light, or a dark curtain across part of your vision
- Nausea or vomiting with eye pain, or any injury to the operated eye
Call us on +91 86799 11029 or come straight to our 24×7 emergency department.
Alternatives
Updated glasses and better lighting
In an early cataract, a new spectacle prescription, brighter reading lights, anti-glare glasses and magnifiers can keep you comfortable for a while. They do not stop the cataract from progressing, so regular eye checks are needed.
Waiting and monitoring
If the cataract is not yet affecting your daily life, it is usually safe to wait and have it reviewed every 6–12 months. However, waiting until the cataract is very dense makes surgery more difficult and can raise the risk of complications and eye pressure problems.
Eye drops and home remedies
No eye drop, tablet, diet or herbal remedy has been proven to dissolve or reverse a cataract. Be cautious of such claims — putting unprescribed drops or home preparations into the eye can cause infection and lasting harm.
This page explains Cataract Surgery in general terms. Your doctor will advise what is right for you after examining you and reviewing your reports. Please read our medical disclaimer.
Ask about your options, the cost and your insurance before you decide. We are empanelled with major insurers and TPAs.
Your care team
Ophthalmology Department
Cataract surgery at SKS Hospital is performed by our ophthalmology team with trained operation theatre nurses and eye-care staff, supported by anaesthesia, internal medicine, laboratory and pharmacy services on the same campus.
From your first eye test and lens measurements to the operation, follow-up visits and final spectacle check, the same team stays with you — and our physicians help keep diabetes and blood pressure under control so that your surgery is safe.
Other departments involved
Related procedures
Glaucoma Evaluation & Treatment
Eye pressure checks, optic nerve assessment and long-term treatment with drops, laser or surgery to prevent further vision loss.
Diabetic Eye Screening
A dilated retina examination that detects diabetic retinopathy early, before it starts to affect your vision, recommended at least once a year.
Computerised Eye Testing
Quick, accurate measurement of refractive error for correct spectacle prescriptions in children and adults, including after cataract surgery.
Squint Correction
Spectacles, patching, exercises or surgery to straighten misaligned eyes and help both eyes work together, especially in children.
Eye Injury Care
Urgent assessment and treatment of eye injuries, chemical splashes and foreign bodies, with 24×7 emergency support on campus.
Dry Eye & Eye Infection Care
Diagnosis and treatment of dry, gritty, red or infected eyes, including advice on safe use of eye drops.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions patients and families ask us about cataract surgery.
Is cataract surgery painful?
The eye is numbed with drops or a small injection, and you stay awake and relaxed. You may see bright lights and feel light pressure or cool fluid, but not pain. Mild grittiness afterwards usually settles within a day or two.
Does a cataract need to be “ripe” before surgery?
No. This belief comes from older techniques. With phaco surgery, the right time is when blurred vision starts to affect your daily life. Waiting until the cataract is very hard makes surgery more difficult and recovery slower.
Can both eyes be operated together?
Usually one eye is operated at a time, with the second eye done a few days to a few weeks later. This avoids both eyes being affected by a rare complication at the same time, and allows the second lens to be fine-tuned based on how the first eye settles.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
With a standard monofocal lens, distance vision is usually clear without glasses, but most people need glasses for reading and fine work. Toric and multifocal lenses can reduce the need for glasses; your surgeon will explain whether they suit your eyes.
Can a cataract come back?
No — the cloudy lens is removed and the artificial lens does not turn cloudy. However, the thin capsule behind it can become hazy months or years later and blur vision again. This is easily cleared with a short laser treatment.
I have diabetes. Can I have cataract surgery?
Yes. People with diabetes often develop cataract earlier. We check your sugar before surgery and prefer it to be reasonably controlled, and we examine the retina carefully before and after, because diabetes can cause swelling of the retina that needs treatment.
When can I bathe, cook or go back to work?
You can bathe from the neck down the next day, but keep water out of the eye for about a week — wipe your face gently with a clean, damp cloth. Light cooking away from smoke, reading, TV and desk work are usually fine after 2–3 days; avoid heavy lifting, bending low and dusty work for 2–4 weeks, as advised.
Do I need to stop my blood thinners?
Usually not. Most patients can continue aspirin and other blood thinners for cataract surgery done with numbing drops, but always tell us what you take — your eye surgeon will decide with your physician or cardiologist. Never stop them on your own.
How much does cataract surgery cost, and is it covered by insurance?
The cost depends mainly on the type of lens chosen and any other eye conditions. Our team gives a written estimate before surgery. SKS Hospital is empanelled with major insurers and TPAs, and cataract surgery is covered under most health policies, sometimes with a limit on the lens cost — our insurance desk helps with pre-authorisation.
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