Ophthalmology
Starting from
$800
Up to $3,000 depending on centre
Typical duration
3–7 days
Including pre-operative work-up
Partner hospitals
3
Vetted for outcome data & accreditation
Content reviewed for medical accuracy by: Dr. Rodina Ainasoa · Medical Content Writer & Health Communications
Phacoemulsification cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation — the world's most performed eye surgery — restores clear vision clouded by lens opacity. Leading centres abroad offer premium multifocal and toric IOLs at a fraction of Western costs, reducing dependence on glasses after surgery.
Your case is matched to a centre on the basis of clinical outcome data, not marketing. We coordinate every step — from pre-operative work-up to post-treatment follow-up — with a dedicated care coordinator.
Cataract Surgery
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Standard phacoemulsification with a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) is the most widely performed cataract procedure worldwide. Premium multifocal, toric, or laser-assisted options add to the cost but can reduce dependence on glasses or address astigmatism; your surgeon will recommend an approach based on your eye anatomy, astigmatism, and visual goals.
| Parameter | Standard Phacoemulsification (Monofocal IOL) | Premium IOL & Laser-Assisted (FLACS) |
|---|---|---|
| Lens technology | A monofocal IOL provides clear vision at one distance, usually far, so reading glasses are typically still needed, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) | Multifocal, extended depth-of-focus, and toric IOLs provide a range of vision at near, intermediate, and distance, and can correct pre-existing astigmatism, reducing the need for glasses, per the AAO |
| Incision method | The corneal incision is created with a blade, per the AAO | The incision — and, in femtosecond laser-assisted surgery, part of the lens fragmentation — can instead be performed with a laser, per the AAO |
| Energy used on the eye | Relies solely on ultrasound (phacoemulsification) energy to break up and remove the cloudy lens | Femtosecond laser pretreatment reduces the ultrasound energy and time needed to break up the lens, which may lessen heat-related stress on surrounding eye tissue, per a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| Visual outcomes | Achieves excellent, well-established visual outcomes for the vast majority of patients | Laser-assisted surgery showed better corrected vision at 1 week and 6 months in some trials, but no significant difference from conventional surgery beyond the first few months, with similar overall complication rates, per the same meta-analysis |
| Who it typically suits | Most patients with routine cataracts and no strong preference for reduced glasses dependence | Patients seeking reduced spectacle dependence, those with astigmatism, and — for the laser-assisted approach — patients with dense cataracts, low corneal endothelial cell counts, shallow anterior chambers, or glaucoma, per the meta-analysis |
The description below outlines the standard phacoemulsification approach with intraocular lens implantation, the most commonly performed cataract procedure. Your surgical team will confirm the specific steps for your chosen lens and technique.
Anaesthesia
The eye is numbed with topical anaesthetic drops; general anaesthesia is rarely needed, per Cleveland Clinic.
Corneal incision
The surgeon creates a tiny incision near the edge of the cornea, using a blade or a laser, to access the cloudy lens, per the AAO.
Phacoemulsification
An ultrasound instrument breaks up the clouded natural lens and suctions out the fragments, per the AAO and Cleveland Clinic.
Lens implantation and discharge
The chosen intraocular lens is inserted through the same small incision, which typically self-seals. Patients rest for about 15 to 30 minutes before going home the same day, per Cleveland Clinic.
Cataract surgery is performed as outpatient day surgery; the surgery itself typically takes only 10 to 15 minutes, with same-day discharge, per Cleveland Clinic.
Most patients notice clearer vision within a few days of surgery, per the AAO.
Driving typically resumes once the surgeon confirms adequate visual acuity, which usually takes a few days to about a week; patients who have only had one eye treated may temporarily notice reduced depth perception, per the AAO.
Full healing of the eye takes about four to six weeks, even though most people resume normal daily activities well before then, per the AAO and Cleveland Clinic.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO); Cleveland Clinic. Individual recovery varies and is guided by your surgical team.
Known Risks & Limitations
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO); Cleveland Clinic; a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing femtosecond laser-assisted and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery. No procedure is without risk; your surgical team reviews your individual eye health before recommending a specific approach.
Remote clinical review
Share your current vision, eye history, and any other eye conditions. Our coordination team forwards your case to an ophthalmic surgeon, who reviews your needs and confirms candidacy and lens options.
Hospital matching & estimate
A consolidated cost estimate covering the pre-operative eye examination and biometry, your chosen IOL, and the surgeon and anaesthesia fees is issued before travel.
Travel & pre-operative work-up
On arrival, a final eye examination and biometry (IOL power calculation) confirm the surgical plan for one or both eyes.
Procedure & early recovery
Day surgery on the first eye, with the second eye typically operated on 3 to 5 days later once the surgeon confirms it is healing well, followed by a short observation period before same-day discharge.
Continuity of care post-return
A post-operative eye-drop schedule, discharge summary, and surgical notes are shared with your home optometrist or ophthalmologist, alongside scheduled remote follow-up consultations to track your visual recovery.
Average coordinated costs across our partner centres. Final pricing depends on clinical complexity and chosen hospital.
| Country | Avg. cost | vs. cheapest |
|---|---|---|
🇮🇳 India New Delhi · Chennai · Bengaluru · Hyderabad · Mumbai · Kochi | $1,200 | —chevron_right |
🇹🇷 Turkey Istanbul | $1,800 | +50%chevron_right |
🇹🇭 Thailand Bangkok · Phuket · Chiang Mai | $2,000 | +67%chevron_right |
Costs are indicative estimates and vary by procedure specifics, hospital, and clinical complexity. Request a personalised estimate for your specific case.
This treatment category covers several different operations with different levels of invasiveness, recovery times, and costs. The country averages above blend all of them together — use the breakdown below for a more realistic, procedure-specific estimate.
The cloudy natural lens is broken up using ultrasound energy delivered through a tiny (about 2–3 mm) self-sealing incision, then removed by suction and replaced with a standard monofocal intraocular lens (IOL). This is the world's most commonly performed eye surgery and the standard first-choice approach for most age-related cataracts.
Typical recovery · 1–2 weeks
Usually a same-day (outpatient) procedure under local anesthesia and light sedation; vision typically improves within a few days, with most normal activity resumed within a week and full stabilisation by 4–6 weeks. Eye drops are used for several weeks to prevent infection and inflammation; rare but serious risks include infection (endophthalmitis), retinal detachment, and posterior capsule opacification (treatable later with a quick laser procedure).
India
$800–$1,500 per eye
Turkey
$1,000–$2,000 per eye
Thailand
$1,500–$2,500 per eye
The same phacoemulsification technique is used, but a premium multifocal or toric IOL is implanted instead of a standard monofocal lens. Multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus lenses correct near, intermediate, and distance vision to reduce dependence on reading glasses, while toric lenses additionally correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism.
Typical recovery · 1–2 weeks
Recovery timeline mirrors standard cataract surgery (most normal activity within a week), though the brain typically needs several weeks to a few months of 'neuroadaptation' to fully adjust to a multifocal lens, during which some patients notice glare or halos around lights at night that usually fade over time. Candidacy requires a healthy retina and cornea, so a thorough pre-operative eye exam is essential before choosing a premium lens.
India
$1,200–$2,500 per eye
Turkey
$1,800–$3,000 per eye
Thailand
Estimate pending verification — ask your care coordinator for a current quote
A femtosecond laser is used to perform the corneal incisions, opening of the lens capsule, and initial fragmentation of the cataract before ultrasound removes the softened lens fragments — replacing several manual steps of conventional phacoemulsification with computer-guided laser precision. It is often chosen for denser or harder cataracts, to fine-tune astigmatism correction, or alongside a premium IOL for maximum precision.
Typical recovery · 1–2 weeks
Recovery is comparable to standard phacoemulsification, with some studies reporting less ultrasound energy used in the eye and, for certain cataract types, reduced risk of a specific complication (posterior capsular rupture); overall visual outcomes with a monofocal lens are similar to conventional surgery. The same general risks apply (infection, inflammation, retinal detachment), and the laser step adds to the overall procedure cost without changing the follow-up schedule.
India
$1,500–$2,800 per eye
Turkey
Estimate pending verification — ask your care coordinator for a current quote
Thailand
$2,200–$3,500 per eye
Cost ranges are indicative estimates for international patients and vary with implant choice, number of levels treated, surgeon, and hospital. Request a personalised quote for your specific case.
Clinical detail: AAOS OrthoInfo, Mayo Clinic Health System, Cleveland Clinic. Cost ranges cross-checked across multiple independent medical-tourism sources per country where marked; ranges flagged "pending verification" could not be independently confirmed at the time of writing.
Faridabad, India
Asia's largest private hospital — 2,600 beds, 64 operation theatres, 81 specialties on a 130-acre campus in Delhi NCR. NABH & NABL accredited. Centres of excellence in oncology, cardiac surgery, BMT, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and IVF.
800+
Specialists
2,600+
Beds
New Delhi, India
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar, New Delhi is one of India's foremost multi-specialty tertiary care centres, part of the Apollo Hospitals network established by Dr. Prathap C Reddy in 1983. The 710-bed facility records 1,600+ daily OPD visits, 1,000+ international patient consultations monthly, and receives 5,000+ international patients per year from over 120 countries. Its Centres of Excellence span cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, organ transplantation, nephrology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, and bariatric surgery. The hospital is equipped with Da Vinci XI robotic systems, CyberKnife radiosurgery, 3 Tesla MRI, LINAC, ECMO, and a 3D neuro-navigation system.
700+
Specialists
710+
Beds
Bengaluru, India
Manipal Hospitals Old Airport Road is the flagship and founding campus of one of India's largest healthcare networks, established in 1991 on HAL Old Airport Road, Kodihalli, Bengaluru. Part of the Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), the network spans 49 hospitals and 12,600+ beds across India. The Old Airport Road campus anchors the group's academic and clinical identity, housing specialist institutes including the Manipal Institute for Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgery (MIJRRS), the Manipal Robotic Spine Surgery centre (MIRSS), the Manipal Skull Base Institute (MSBI), and the Manipal Institute for Bariatric Surgery (MIBS). Its quaternary-level capabilities cover cardiology, oncology, neurosurgery, organ transplantation, orthopaedics, spine surgery, bariatric surgery, and paediatrics, all within a NABH and NABL accredited environment. The hospital provides dedicated international patient services through the Manipal Global network, with support for visa, travel, language, and end-to-end care coordination.
264+
Specialists
600+
Beds
Yes. In most international centres, the second eye is operated on 3–5 days after the first once the surgeon confirms the first eye is healing well. This means a single trip of 7–10 days is usually sufficient to have both eyes treated, saving you the cost and disruption of two separate journeys.
No fees. No commitment.
We are compensated by our partner hospitals — never by patients. You get independent clinical matching, cost transparency, and end-to-end coordination at no cost to you.
