Cataract Surgery Cost in India: Prices by Type and Lens

 

Key Takeaways: In India, most cataract surgery costs ₹15,000 – ₹2,00,000 per eye. The cost varies depending on the city, procedure, surgeons, type of IOL, and hospital/ clinic you opt for. Cataract Surgery type price ranges: Phaco ₹15k–₹60k, MICS ₹45k–₹1.5L, Laser-assisted (FLACS) ₹70k–₹2L, ECCE ₹12k–₹30k, ICCE ₹12k–₹30k. Cataract Lens type price ranges: Monofocal lenses are often part of the basic cataract surgery package. But the use of premium toric, multifocal, or extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses will add to the total cost between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 per eye. Advanced technology like Femtosecond Laser, Image-Guided Surgery, MICS, and ORA enhance accuracy and vision outcomes. These new age technologies can increase the cost of the procedure by approximately ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000+. Cataract operation cost may also rise with extra tests, very dense/complex cataracts, advanced machines, or add-ons. Check to see if you have all of the following in the quoted amount: lenses, investigations, medicines, follow-ups, and taxes. Schemes like Ayushman Bharat, CGHS, ESIC, and many others of different states can bring down the cost of treatment. Choosing the economical package is not always the best decision. Lens quality, surgeon expertise and post-operative care often have a bigger impact on long-term vision.

Cataract surgery cost in India typically ranges between ₹15,000 and ₹2,00,000 per eye. The final price of cataract eye surgery varies based on the procedure, chosen intraocular lens (IOL), age, city, hospital, etc. Basic insurance often covers standard procedures, but premium lenses may cost you more.

How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost in India?

Cataract Surgery Cost Based on Procedure Type

The type of cataract surgery recommended depends on factors such as cataract severity, eye health, and the intraocular lens (IOL) selected. Each surgery differs in complexity, recovery time, and cost. The table below compares the most common cataract surgery options available in India.

Procedure Type	Price Range (₹ per eye)	Recovery	Best For
Phacoemulsification (Phaco)	₹15,000 – ₹60,000	Fast (1–4 weeks)	Most patients with age-related cataracts seeking a stitchless procedure and quick recovery
Micro Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS)	₹45,000 – ₹1,50,000	Very Fast (1–3 weeks)	Most patients with age-related cataracts seeking a stitchless procedure and quick recovery
Femtosecond Laser–Assisted (FLACS)	₹70,000 – ₹2,00,000	Very Fast (1–3 weeks)	Patients opting for advanced laser precision and premium IOL implantation
Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS)	₹15,000 – ₹35,000	Moderate (3–6 weeks)	Dense or mature cataracts, especially in cost-conscious settings
Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE)	₹12,000 – ₹30,000	Slow (6–8 weeks)	Very hard or advanced cataracts where Phaco is not suitable
Intracapsular Cataract Extraction (ICCE)	₹12,000 – ₹30,000	Slow (6–8 weeks)	Rarely performed today; reserved for selected complex cases such as severe lens dislocation

Note:- Costs may vary depending on the surgical technique, technology used for the surgery, intraocular lens (IOL), diagnostic tests, and hospital facilities. 

Cataract Surgery Cost Based on Lens Type

• The cataract operation cost with a standard monofocal lens ranges between ₹15,000 – ₹60,000 per eye.
• Premium lenses, such as multifocal or toric lenses, can increase the cost from ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 per eye.

Note: It’s essential to discuss with your ophthalmologist the type of surgery and lens that best suits your vision requirements and budget.

How Lens Choice Affects Cataract Surgery Cost?

Even though the operation itself may be unchanged, opting for the more advanced intraocular lens will raise the cataract operation cost of the entire procedure considerably. The advanced lenses have several advantages:

• Improved vision both at distance and close range
• Reduced need for eyeglasses
• Astigmatism correction
• Contrast sensitivity enhancement
• Better visual quality for an active lifestyle

For many people, the added expense is justified by the improved results.

Why Do Cataract Surgery Cost Prices Differ?

Various factors affect the total cost of cataract surgery:

• Surgical technique: Laser-assisted procedures are usually more expensive than traditional phacoemulsification because they use advanced technology. 

• Type of intraocular lens: Premium toric, multifocal, or EDOF lenses are much more expensive than monofocal lenses.

• Hospital facilities: NABH-credited hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art equipment have higher cataract operation cost.

• Surgeon’s expertise: Experienced cataract surgeons may charge more due to their expertise and success rates. 

• Complexity of the cataract: Very dense cataracts, previous eye surgeries, glaucoma, or retinal disorders may require additional surgical time and specialised equipment.

• Package inclusions: Some hospitals include investigations, medicines, follow-up visits, and premium lenses in their packages, while others charge separately. 

• Other Factors That Affect Cataract Surgery Cost: Room category, Admission charges, Anaesthetic charges, Patient’s age and Eye condition

Hidden Charges in Cataract Surgery that You should know

• Complicated or complex cataract surgeries 

Very dense cataracts, weak zonules, small pupils, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, traumatic cataracts, or combined glaucoma procedures may require additional surgical devices and operating time, increasing the total cataract operation cost.

• Additional Diagnostic Test

Patients with glaucoma, diabetes, retinal disorders, or previous eye surgeries may need specialised investigations like:-

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
• Specular Microscopy
• Corneal Topography
• B-Scan Ultrasound

• Post Operative Complications 

Although cataract surgery is highly successful, there may be cases where patients may require additional treatment due to postoperative complications or delayed recovery. These cataract operation costs are not included in the surgery pack. So, it is important to confirm the hospital’s policy in advance.

Government Assistance and Insurance Coverage (India)

Good news for people suffering from cataracts in India, most cataract surgeries can be cashless or heavily subsidised through national and state programs. The main national cover is Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary/tertiary care), and many states add their own schemes on top.  Central schemes for specific groups, such as CGHS (central government employees/pensioners) and ESIC (insured workers/families), also include cataract operation.  The National Blindness Programme (NPCBVI) runs cataract drives to clear backlogs.

Scheme	Who does it cover?
Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY	₹5 lakh cover for eligible families; cataract surgery is included in Health Benefit Packages (e.g., phaco/SICS listed under ophthalmology). Check/issue your Ayushman card and visit an empanelled hospital.
CGHS	Central govt employees/pensioners; package rates exist for ECCE, SICS, phaco with foldable IOL, etc. Reimbursement/cashless as per CGHS city rates.
ESIC	Insured workers and dependents; ESIC hospitals routinely perform cataract surgery with IOL. Cashless at ESIC/empanelled centres.
NPCBVI (National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment)	Runs mission-mode cataract surgery campaigns (Netra Jyoti Abhiyan) with massive annual targets; >83 lakh cataract surgeries were done in FY 2022–23 under this drive.

State & UT health schemes

Most states implement PM-JAY directly or with a state-branded top-up. Below are the commonly used names so patients know what to ask for at the hospital/State Health Agency (SHA).

State/UT	Scheme Name(s)
Andhra Pradesh	Dr YSR Aarogyasri (PM-JAY convergence; cashless for major procedures).
Arunachal Pradesh	CMAAY – Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana (with PM-JAY).
Assam	Atal Amrit Abhiyan + PM-JAY; package master shows cataract (phaco/SICS).
Bihar	PM-JAY (state rollout via SHA).
Chhattisgarh	State health protection + PM-JAY (Dr. Khubchand Baghel Swasthya Sahayata) – PM-JAY base applies.
Delhi (NCT)	CGHS/DGEHS for eligible employees; broader residents access PM-JAY eligibility where applicable.
Goa	DDSSY – Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana (state-wide cover).
Gujarat	Mukhyamantri Amrutam (MA/MAA) + PM-JAY integration.
Haryana	CHIRAYU Haryana (PM-JAY extension/top-up).
Himachal Pradesh	HIMCARE + PM-JAY (Ayushman packages).
Jammu & Kashmir	AB-PM-JAY SEHAT (UT-wide).
Jharkhand	AB-Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya (PM-JAY convergence).
Karnataka	Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK).
Kerala	KASP – Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (Ayushman Kerala).
Madhya Pradesh	PM-JAY via SHA; NPCBVI cataract drives are active.
Maharashtra	MJPJAY – Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (+ PM-JAY).
Manipur	CMHT – Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (with PM-JAY).
Meghalaya	MHIS – Megha Health Insurance Scheme (with PM-JAY).
Mizoram	Mizoram State Health Care Scheme + PM-JAY.
Nagaland	CMHIS – Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (with PM-JAY).
Odisha	BSKY – Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana; packages include ophthalmology/cataract.
Punjab	Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (AB-SSBY).
Rajasthan	Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.
Sikkim	State health cover + PM-JAY
Tamil Nadu	CMCHIS (Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme).
Telangana	Aarogyasr
Tripura	CMJAY / PM-JAY
Uttar Pradesh	PM-JAY
Uttarakhand	Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand (plus PM-JAY rollout at PHCs/CHCs).
West Bengal	Swasthya Sathi (state-funded, ₹5 lakh cover).
UTs (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar, Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Ladakh, Chandigarh)	PM-JAY implementations and departmental schemes (CGHS for central employees). NPCBVI cataract drives run via NHM.

How to use these Benefits?

1. Check eligibility / get your card: Ayushman (PM-JAY) or state card (e.g., Swasthya Sathi, CMCHIS). Many states let you verify online or at district kiosks. 
2. Choose an empanelled hospital: State portals list hospitals and package details (e.g., West Bengal, Odisha).
3. Carry basic documents: Aadhaar, scheme card, and any referrals/reports.
4. Ask specifically for the cataract package: Hospitals bill under package codes (e.g., phaco with foldable IOL / SICS with IOL).
5. For central schemes: CGHS/ESIC beneficiaries should use empanelled centres and follow referral rules. 

Fact: Under NPCBVI’s Netra Jyoti Abhiyan, India exceeded its FY 2022–23 target with 8.34 million cataract surgeries.

How to Choose the Right Eye Hospital?

When selecting an eye hospital, consider more than just the quoted price. Look for:

• Experienced cataract surgeons
• Modern surgical equipment
• NABH-accredited facilities
• Transparent pricing
• Good patient reviews
• Availability of premium IOL options
• Comprehensive follow-up care

Request a written estimate that clearly specifies everything included in the package before making your decision. Note:- It is always better to opt for speciality hospitals rather than multispeciality hospitals. Choosing a specialty eye centre ensures access to dedicated, highly trained ophthalmologists, advanced diagnostic technologies, and a streamlined environment tailored specifically for vision care. This focused approach yields precise treatments for complex eye conditions with a minimized risk of complications. 

Centre For Sight: Leading Cataract Surgery Hospital in India

Centre for Sight is one of India’s premier eye care networks, renowned for its expertise in blade-free and robotic laser-assisted cataract surgery. We utilise advanced premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) to provide customised, highly accurate visual correction, and faster recovery times.  Founded by Padma Shri awardee Prof. Dr. Mahipal S. Sachdev (42+ years of experience) and Dr. Ritika Sachdev (20+ years of experience), Centre for Sight is home to a team of renowned ophthalmologists, including Dr. Anup Bhasin (38+ years of experience), Dr. Bharat R Thomumungkan (20+ years of experience), Dr. Charu Khurana (22+ years of experience), and many other experienced eye specialists. Together, they provide advanced cataract surgery and comprehensive eye care, delivering personalised treatment and excellent visual outcomes for patients.

Conclusion

The cost of cataract operation in India depends mainly on the type of surgery (phaco, MICS, FLACS, SICS/ECCE), the lens chosen (monofocal, toric, multifocal/EDOF), and the city and hospital.  To plan well, check insurance and government schemes (Ayushman Bharat/PM-JAY, state health cover, ESIC, CGHS) and confirm which hospitals are empanelled. Always ask for a written, itemised estimate that lists the IOL, tests, medicines, follow-ups, and any laser steps. Ask what is included, what is extra, and the expected recovery so you can budget and schedule time off.  With clear information, you can choose the right care at the right price confidently.