Cataract Surgery Cost in India 2026: Complete Lens & Procedure Guide

Cataract Surgery Cost by Lens Type (2026)

The lens (IOL) implant accounts for 40-70% of total cost:

• Standard Monofocal IOL: ₹15,000 – ₹35,000 per eye. Corrects distance vision; reading glasses needed afterward. Covered by most insurance.
• Toric IOL (corrects astigmatism): ₹35,000 – ₹55,000 per eye. Distance vision without astigmatism correction needed.
• Multifocal IOL: ₹55,000 – ₹95,000 per eye. Distance + intermediate + near vision; minimal glasses needed.
• EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) IOL: ₹70,000 – ₹1,20,000 per eye. Smooth range from distance to intermediate; sharper than multifocal at night.
• Trifocal IOL: ₹85,000 – ₹1,40,000 per eye. Near + intermediate + distance vision. Often chosen by people who want to reduce dependence on glasses.
• Toric Multifocal/Trifocal: ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,55,000 per eye. Combines astigmatism correction with multifocal benefit.

Surgical Technology Cost Differences

Beyond the lens, the technique affects cost:

• Manual SICS (Small Incision Cataract Surgery): ₹8,000 – ₹15,000. Used in government hospitals; safe but older method.
• Phacoemulsification (Phaco): ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 (procedure only). Standard at private hospitals; ultrasound-based.
• Femto-Cataract Surgery: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 (procedure only). Laser-assisted, more precise, especially for premium IOLs and astigmatism correction.

Femto + premium IOL combinations are the most expensive; whether the added cost is worthwhile depends on your eye and lens choice.

Cost by City and Hospital Tier

Same surgery, different city pricing:

• Government & charitable hospitals (Aravind, LV Prasad subsidised): ₹0 – ₹15,000 with monofocal lens
• Tier-3 private hospitals: ₹15,000 – ₹35,000
• Mid-tier private hospitals (most metros): ₹35,000 – ₹85,000
• Large private eye-care chains (e.g. Centre for Sight, Dr. Agarwal's, ASG): ₹50,000 – ₹1,55,000
• Five-star metro hospitals: ₹80,000 – ₹2,00,000

Compare quotes on what is included, the exact lens model, and the surgeon's qualifications rather than price alone.

What's Included in a Cataract Surgery Package?

A genuine quote should include:

• Pre-operative tests (biometry, OCT if needed, blood work)
• Surgeon's fee
• Operating theatre charges
• IOL cost (specify exact brand and model)
• Anaesthesia (topical drops in most cases)
• Post-op medications for 4-6 weeks
• 3-4 follow-up consultations

Always ask for a written all-inclusive quote. Avoid quotes that say 'starting from' without specifying the lens model.

Insurance Coverage for Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is covered by most Indian health insurance policies as a medically necessary procedure:

• Standard monofocal IOL: Fully covered (subject to policy sub-limits)
• Premium IOLs (multifocal, toric, EDOF, trifocal): Insurance pays the standard lens cost; you pay the upgrade differential
• Sub-limits: Most policies cap cataract claims at ₹40,000-₹75,000 per eye unless you have a higher-tier policy
• Waiting period: Typically 2 years for cataract under most policies
• Cashless facility: Available at network hospitals

Government schemes (Ayushman Bharat, ECHS, CGHS) cover monofocal cataract surgery completely at empanelled hospitals.