Options for Cataract Surgery
Thought of sharing my experience of a cataract surgery that my wife Vasantha had recently.
Advances in technology are providing new microsurgical devices as well as new generation of lenses. Cataract surgery, also called lens replacement surgery, is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract, and its replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
After consulting the eye specialist who confirmed that her right eye has cataract we were led to a counselor who gave us two surgery methods and 3 lens options under each to choose from.
First method is Phaco (short for Phacoemulsification, also called SICS "Small Incision Cataract Surgery") that needs 8 days rest after the surgery. The lenses costed 13k and 18k for Indian lens and 24k for foreign lens.
In the second method called MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery) only 2 days rest is required. The foreign lenses costed 29k, 34k, and 36k.
It was a difficult choice to be made as I didn't know the pros and cons of each lens. On inquiry with friends I found that one had used a Lense called ACRYSOF IQ MONOFOCAL IOL made by Alcon Professionals. Further research on Internet revealed that in MICS an incision less than 1.8 mm is made (unlike the 3 mm incision for Phaco) reducing surgical invasiveness. Also, MICS uses fluidics, needs less ultrasound energy and time than conventional Phaco.
For the lens, there are different options under the same brand, including a multifocal lens, meant for those who were using specs for near, intermediate, and far visions. As my wife was not using any specs I decided to go for MICS surgery and a mono-focal lens costing 29k.
Then we took an appointment for surgery. On the previous day, my wife had a few tests and scans. As per our choice, the Counselor recommended TECNIS Mono-focal 1-Piece IOL Model ZCB00 by Johnson & Johnson and Abbott. A Covid Antigen test was also done from a nearby Laboratory.
Next day we reported for surgery at 9:30 am and were out of the hospital in 4 hours. I purchased a PreOps kit and a few medicines. The Anesthesia was done through eye drops and the actual surgery for removing the cataract and implanting the lens took less than 10 minutes. There was absolutely no pain at any stage. Then I was asked to purchase PostOps medicines from the pharmacy on the ground floor.
Later, I was ushered into the room where Vasantha was resting and given very clear oral and written instructions by a nurse about the eye drops and tablets to be used after the surgery. One has to wear a protective eyeglass for a week and three eye drops are to be continued for 30 days.
Finally I settled the bill and altogether it costed less than 33k. First review after three days was completed yesterday and the doctor said everything is fine. The surgery was carried out at 'Dr.Sreekanth Eye Care & Research Centre', Calicut. Dr. Sreekanth is a well experienced and reputed eye surgeon. His 3-story hospital on Mavoor Road is quite modern, very clean, and staffed with efficient and courteous workforce.
Advances in technology are providing new microsurgical devices as well as new generation of lenses. Cataract surgery, also called lens replacement surgery, is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract, and its replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
After consulting the eye specialist who confirmed that her right eye has cataract we were led to a counselor who gave us two surgery methods and 3 lens options under each to choose from.
First method is Phaco (short for Phacoemulsification, also called SICS "Small Incision Cataract Surgery") that needs 8 days rest after the surgery. The lenses costed 13k and 18k for Indian lens and 24k for foreign lens.
In the second method called MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery) only 2 days rest is required. The foreign lenses costed 29k, 34k, and 36k.
It was a difficult choice to be made as I didn't know the pros and cons of each lens. On inquiry with friends I found that one had used a Lense called ACRYSOF IQ MONOFOCAL IOL made by Alcon Professionals. Further research on Internet revealed that in MICS an incision less than 1.8 mm is made (unlike the 3 mm incision for Phaco) reducing surgical invasiveness. Also, MICS uses fluidics, needs less ultrasound energy and time than conventional Phaco.
For the lens, there are different options under the same brand, including a multifocal lens, meant for those who were using specs for near, intermediate, and far visions. As my wife was not using any specs I decided to go for MICS surgery and a mono-focal lens costing 29k.
Then we took an appointment for surgery. On the previous day, my wife had a few tests and scans. As per our choice, the Counselor recommended TECNIS Mono-focal 1-Piece IOL Model ZCB00 by Johnson & Johnson and Abbott. A Covid Antigen test was also done from a nearby Laboratory.
Next day we reported for surgery at 9:30 am and were out of the hospital in 4 hours. I purchased a PreOps kit and a few medicines. The Anesthesia was done through eye drops and the actual surgery for removing the cataract and implanting the lens took less than 10 minutes. There was absolutely no pain at any stage. Then I was asked to purchase PostOps medicines from the pharmacy on the ground floor.
Later, I was ushered into the room where Vasantha was resting and given very clear oral and written instructions by a nurse about the eye drops and tablets to be used after the surgery. One has to wear a protective eyeglass for a week and three eye drops are to be continued for 30 days.
Finally I settled the bill and altogether it costed less than 33k. First review after three days was completed yesterday and the doctor said everything is fine. The surgery was carried out at 'Dr.Sreekanth Eye Care & Research Centre', Calicut. Dr. Sreekanth is a well experienced and reputed eye surgeon. His 3-story hospital on Mavoor Road is quite modern, very clean, and staffed with efficient and courteous workforce.
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