Cashless cataract surgery is a facility where the patient does not need to pay upfront for their cataract surgery. The hospital settles the bill directly with the insurance company or TPA (Third Party Administrator). You only need to pay non-admissible amounts like extra room rent, premium IOL upgrade charges, or co-pay amounts as per your policy terms. At Dr. Gala’s facilities, we handle all the paperwork so you can focus on your recovery.

Yes, all health insurance policies in India cover cataract surgery as per IRDAI guidelines. Coverage typically ranges from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 per eye for standard monofocal IOL, subject to a waiting period of 2-4 years for individual policies. Group/employer policies and government schemes like CGHS, ECHS, and Ayushman Bharat cover cataract surgery with minimal or no waiting period. Call 077188 85245 to verify your specific coverage.

The main types are: 1) Phacoemulsification (Phaco) – most common, small 2.8mm incision, foldable IOL. 2) MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery) – ultra-small 1.8mm incision, fastest healing. 3) Femto Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) – bladeless, most precise, premium option. 4) ECCE (Manual) – for very hard/mature cataracts. Dr. Jignesh Gala will recommend the best technique after examining your eyes.

The cost ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 1,50,000 per eye depending on technique and IOL. Phaco with monofocal IOL costs Rs. 15,000-35,000. MICS costs Rs. 25,000-45,000. Femto laser cataract surgery costs Rs. 60,000-1,00,000. Premium multifocal or trifocal IOLs add Rs. 30,000-80,000. With cashless facility, insurance covers the admissible amount as per your policy. WhatsApp us for a personalised cost estimate.

Dr. Jignesh Gala accepts cashless cataract surgery through all major insurers including Star Health, HDFC ERGO, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, Care Health, Niva Bupa, Aditya Birla Health, Manipal Cigna, Tata AIG, Acko, Universal Sompo, Cholamandalam MS, Future Generali, Liberty, Reliance General, Bharti AXA, Kotak Mahindra, IFFCO Tokio, Royal Sundaram, Edelweiss, Go Digit, Navi General, New India Assurance, National Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and United India Insurance.

Required documents include: Health Insurance Card (original + photocopy), Government ID Proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport), 2 passport-size photographs, previous eye check-up reports, Dr. Gala’s prescription recommending surgery, biometry report, bank account details (for reimbursement if needed), employer ID for corporate policies, cashless card if provided by insurer, and filled TPA pre-authorization form (provided by our desk).

The cashless pre-authorization process typically takes 24-48 hours for planned surgeries. For direct cashless at Topax Eye Care, it can be faster. In emergency cases, approval can be obtained within 6-12 hours. Our dedicated insurance desk at Topax Eye Care and Crystal Clear Eye handles all documentation to ensure the fastest possible approval.

A monofocal IOL provides clear vision at one distance (usually far), and you will need reading glasses for near work. A multifocal IOL provides clear vision at multiple distances (near and far), reducing dependence on glasses. Multifocal IOLs are premium lenses – insurance covers the monofocal portion and you pay the upgrade difference. Toric IOLs correct astigmatism, EDOF IOLs provide excellent intermediate vision, and trifocal IOLs cover all three distances.

Most patients notice improved vision within 24-48 hours. The typical timeline: Day 1 – First follow-up, vision starts clearing. Week 1 – Most daily activities resumed. Month 1 – Vision stabilises, glasses prescription given. Month 3 – Final follow-up. Complete healing takes 6-8 weeks. MICS patients often recover even faster due to the smaller incision. Dr. Gala provides detailed post-operative instructions and regular follow-ups.

Yes, cataract surgery with IOL is covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY up to Rs. 5 lakh per family per year with no waiting period. The package rate is approximately Rs. 12,000-20,000 per eye depending on state health agency rates. Premium IOL upgrades need to be paid separately. Our facilities are empaneled under PM-JAY. Visit pmjay.gov.in to check your eligibility or call us for assistance.

For individual/family floater policies, the waiting period is typically 2-4 years. Senior citizen policies: 1-2 years. Group/employer policies: 0-1 year. Government schemes (CGHS, ECHS, Ayushman Bharat): No waiting period. Some insurers have specific limits – for example, Star Health may have 24 months while Care Health may have 48 months. Our insurance desk will check your exact waiting period before proceeding.

Generally, cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time with a gap of 1-4 weeks between eyes. This allows the first eye to heal and ensures no complications before operating the second eye. However, in select cases with healthy patients and certain IOL types, same-day bilateral cataract surgery may be considered after thorough evaluation by Dr. Jignesh Gala.

FLACS is an advanced bladeless cataract surgery where a femtosecond laser performs key steps: corneal incisions, circular capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation. This offers greater precision, better IOL positioning, and potentially faster healing. FLACS is ideal for premium IOL patients. The laser portion has an additional cost of Rs. 25,000-40,000 per eye which is not covered by insurance. Dr. Gala recommends FLACS for patients seeking the highest precision.

There is no upper age limit for cataract surgery. The decision depends on overall health and how much the cataract affects daily life. Dr. Jignesh Gala has successfully performed cataract surgery on patients in their 90s. A thorough pre-operative evaluation including blood tests and ECG is done for elderly patients. The surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, making it safe even for older patients with controlled medical conditions.

MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery) is performed through an ultra-small 1.8mm incision compared to 2.8mm in standard Phaco. Benefits include: less induced astigmatism, faster visual recovery, more stable eye post-surgery, reduced risk of infection, and quicker return to normal activities. MICS is available with full cashless facility at both Topax Eye Care and Crystal Clear Eye Clinic.

Yes, CGHS fully covers cataract surgery with cashless facility at empaneled hospitals. The package includes pre-operative tests, surgery, standard IOL, medicines, and post-operative care. Our facilities are CGHS-empaneled. Visit cghs.nic.in for package details. CGHS beneficiaries can also upgrade to premium IOLs by paying the difference.

Arrive 2 hours before surgery. After admission, dilating drops are instilled. The surgery takes 15-20 minutes under local anaesthesia – you are awake but feel no pain. A protective shield is placed over the eye. You can go home 2-3 hours later with someone to accompany you. First follow-up is the next day. Dr. Gala’s team provides 24/7 support for any post-op concerns.

Book by calling 077188 85245, WhatsApp at https://wa.me/917718885245, or visiting https://www.crystalcleareye.in. During consultation, Dr. Gala examines your eyes, determines the cataract type, recommends the best surgical technique and IOL, and our insurance desk verifies your cashless eligibility and guides you through the process.

Direct cashless means the hospital has a direct tie-up with the insurance company for faster claims processing. TPA (Third Party Administrator) cashless involves an intermediary processing claims on behalf of the insurer. Topax Eye Care offers direct cashless with major insurers for faster approval. Crystal Clear Eye provides comprehensive TPA cashless coverage. Both ensure zero upfront payment for your cataract surgery.

Standard monofocal IOLs are fully covered by all insurance plans. However, premium IOLs (multifocal, toric, EDOF, trifocal) are typically NOT covered by insurance. Insurance pays the equivalent cost of a monofocal IOL, and you pay the upgrade difference ranging from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 80,000 per eye depending on the IOL type. Dr. Gala will explain all costs upfront and help you choose the best IOL for your needs and budget.