Cataract surgery in Ahmedabad
Blade-free cold-phaco cataract surgery with premium foldable lenses — a gentle, quick procedure by gold-medalist surgeon Dr Swapnil Joshi, right here in Naranpura.
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What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that develops gradually, most often with age, and sometimes earlier because of diabetes, eye injury, prolonged steroid use or long-standing inflammation. As the lens hardens and turns cloudy, light can no longer pass through it clearly — vision blurs, colours fade, and glasses stop helping. Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, and unlike many eye conditions it doesn't need to be managed for life: a short, well-established surgery restores clear vision safely.
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Signs & symptoms of a cataract
Cataracts usually develop slowly over months or years, so many people don't notice the change until it starts affecting daily activities like reading, cooking or driving. Common early signs include:
- Blurred, cloudy or hazy vision
- Colours looking faded or slightly yellowed
- Increased sensitivity to glare — especially oncoming headlights while driving at night
- Halos appearing around lights
- Frequent changes in your spectacle power
- Double vision in one eye
- Difficulty reading fine print, even with glasses
What causes a cataract?
Age-related (senile) cataract is by far the most common type, but several factors can cause a cataract to form earlier or progress faster:
- Diabetes — high blood sugar accelerates lens clouding
- Long-term steroid use — tablets, inhalers or eye drops
- Eye injury or previous eye surgery
- Prolonged UV/sunlight exposure
- Smoking
- Family history
- Congenital cataract — rare, present from birth in children
Cataracts are also classified by where the clouding starts — nuclear, cortical or posterior subcapsular. Your ophthalmologist will identify the type during your eye examination, as it can affect symptoms and the recommended timing of surgery.
Blade-free cold-phaco surgery — how it works
At Divyam Eye Hospital we perform cold phaco-emulsification, an advanced, blade-free micro-incision technique:
- The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops — no injection in most cases
- A tiny, self-sealing incision of just 2–3 mm is made
- The clouded natural lens is gently broken up with ultrasound and removed (phacoemulsification)
- A foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted through the same small opening and unfolds into place
Because the incision is so small it usually seals on its own — no stitches and no eye pad in most cases — and you walk out the same day.
Before your surgery — what to expect
Your pre-operative eye examination typically includes a visual acuity check, a slit-lamp examination, a dilated fundus exam, and biometry — a precise measurement of your eye used to calculate the power of your new lens. We'll also review your medical history and current medications, and talk through your lens options in detail. Since vision is blurry for a few hours immediately after surgery, please arrange for someone to accompany you and help you get home on the day.
Choosing your lens (IOL)
The intraocular lens becomes a permanent part of your eye, so choosing the right one matters. During your consultation we measure your eye precisely and talk through the options:
- Monofocal lenses — sharp vision at one distance, usually far, with reading glasses for near vision.
- Toric lenses — correct astigmatism at the same time as the cataract, reducing dependence on glasses for distance.
- Multifocal & EDOF (extended depth of focus) lenses — provide a functional range of vision at near, intermediate and distance, reducing overall dependence on glasses.
- Aspheric & UV-filtering lenses — improve contrast sensitivity, especially useful for night driving, and filter harmful UV light to protect the retina long-term.
There's no single "best" lens — the right choice depends on your eye measurements, lifestyle and any existing astigmatism. We'll walk you through the trade-offs during your consultation.
Not sure if you're ready for surgery? A simple eye examination gives you a clear answer. Book an evaluation and Dr Swapnil Joshi will explain your options in plain language, with no pressure.
Recovery after cataract surgery
Most people notice clearer vision within a day or two, though it may feel slightly hazy at first. You'll be prescribed a course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops, usually tapered over three to four weeks. For the first one to two weeks: avoid rubbing the eye, avoid swimming and dusty environments, avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise, and wear the protective eye shield at night if advised. Most people resume reading and watching TV within a day or two, and can typically return to driving once vision is confirmed stable at a follow-up visit. Follow-up checks are usually scheduled at day 1, week 1 and around one month after surgery.
Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and safest surgical procedures worldwide, with a very high success rate in restoring clear vision. As with any surgery, it carries a small risk of complications such as infection, inflammation, raised eye pressure or, rarely, retinal detachment — your surgeon will discuss your individual risk during your consultation.
Secondary cataract & YAG laser capsulotomy
Months or years after successful cataract surgery, the thin membrane (posterior capsule) that holds the new lens in place can turn cloudy — this is called a secondary cataract, or posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and is not a sign the original surgery failed. It's treated with a quick, painless outpatient procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy, which restores clear vision in minutes without any incision.
When should you consider cataract surgery?
There's no need to rush into surgery the moment a cataract is diagnosed. Most doctors recommend surgery once the cataract starts interfering with everyday activities — reading, driving (especially at night), recognising faces or working comfortably. Delaying surgery indefinitely isn't harmful in most cases, but a very advanced (mature) cataract can make surgery more complex, so it's worth discussing timing with your ophthalmologist rather than waiting until vision is severely affected.
Why choose Divyam Eye Hospital for your cataract surgery
- Blade-free cold-phaco technique with a small, self-sealing incision
- Choice of monofocal, toric, multifocal/EDOF and aspheric UV-filtering lenses
- Led by Dr Swapnil Joshi, M.S. Ophthalmology (Gold Medalist), performing cataract surgery with lens implantation and laser capsulotomy
- Day-care procedure — go home the same day in most cases
- Two convenient locations in Ahmedabad — Naranpura and Gota
- Cashless treatment support for major insurance and TPA networks — ask our front desk for details specific to your policy
Frequently asked questions
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. The eye is fully numbed with anaesthetic drops before the procedure, so most patients feel little to no pain — at most mild pressure during surgery.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
The cataract itself cannot return, since the clouded lens is removed. Some patients develop a secondary cataract months or years later, which is treated with a quick, painless YAG laser procedure — not repeat surgery.
Do I need to stop any medications before cataract surgery?
Your doctor will review your medications — including blood thinners and diabetes medication — during your pre-operative assessment and advise if any changes are needed. Don't stop or change any medication without discussing it first.
Can both eyes be operated on together?
Both eyes are usually operated on separately, typically one to two weeks apart, so the first eye can heal and vision is confirmed stable before the second surgery.
Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?
Cataract surgery is covered by most health insurance policies and many TPAs. Our front desk can guide you through cashless approval and documentation for your specific policy.
What is the right age for cataract surgery?
There is no fixed age — cataract is most common after 50–60 but can occur earlier due to diabetes, injury or steroid use. The right time for surgery depends on how much it affects your daily life, not your age alone.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
It depends on the lens you choose. Monofocal lenses usually still need reading glasses; toric lenses correct astigmatism for distance; multifocal and EDOF lenses aim to reduce dependence on glasses at multiple distances. We'll help you choose based on your eyes and lifestyle.
*A small number of cases may need a different anaesthesia approach — your surgeon will advise you individually.
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