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Cataract surgeon · Varanasi

Best cataract surgeon in Varanasi

Cataract surgery is a hand skill — the single most reliable predictor of outcome is the surgeon's personal lifetime case volume. Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta has personally performed over 10,000 phacoemulsification procedures, from routine age-related cataract through complex intumescent white, subluxated, and post-uveitic cases.

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Reviewed by Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta

Why patients choose us for this care

10,000+ personal surgeries

Volume matters. High-volume surgeons have lower posterior capsule rupture rates and faster visual recovery — this is documented in every large audit including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists National Ophthalmology Database.

MICS phacoemulsification at 2.2 mm

Micro-incision cataract surgery leaves a wound so small it seals itself. No sutures, no eye patch, back to reading a newspaper the next morning.

Complete IOL portfolio

Standard monofocal (Ayushman Bharat), aspheric premium, toric (astigmatism), EDOF (arm's-length focus), trifocal / Panoptix (glasses-free at all distances) — all under one roof.

Same-day discharge

No admission, no overnight stay. You come in at 9 AM, walk out at 11:30 AM, are back at Ghat the same evening. 90% of patients follow this pathway.

Referred by physicians across Purvanchal

Family physicians in Chandauli, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Ballia and Azamgarh routinely refer their cataract patients here — the second-opinion referral rate from doctor colleagues is a quiet but honest signal of trust.

Services & pages related to this specialty

Premium cataract surgery
Toric, EDOF, trifocal IOL options
Complex cataract surgery
Mature, subluxated, one-eyed patients
Transparent pricing
6 clear tiers from ₹18,000 to ₹1.1 L per eye
IOL selector tool
3–5 min interactive assessment

Credentials — Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta

MBBS
Base medical training
MS Ophthalmology
Maulana Azad Medical College / Guru Nanak Eye Centre, New Delhi — India's leading government-tertiary ophthalmic training
DNB (Ophthalmology)
National Board post-graduation
FICO (Merit)
Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology — a global standard for subspecialty competence
12+ years clinical practice
Purvanchal's dedicated cataract & retina practice

Real (anonymised) case scenarios from our clinic

The 68-year-old farmer from Ballia with white cataract

Complete loss of vision × 12 months, no red reflex on retro-illumination. We routinely use trypan blue capsular staining and dispersive OVD for these cases. Discharged at 6/9 uncorrected on day 1.

The 55-year-old professional wanting to stop using glasses

Long screen hours, occasional night driving. Bilateral EDOF IOL implanted a week apart. Complete independence from progressives at 6 weeks.

The 72-year-old Ayushman Bharat beneficiary from Sonbhadra

Zero out-of-pocket. Standard monofocal aspheric IOL, MICS phaco, physiotherapy follow-up in her own village PHC.

You should consult if you have any of these

  • Reduced night vision, glare from headlights, halos around lights
  • Progressive blur that new glasses no longer fix
  • Diagnosed cataract awaiting second opinion
  • Diabetic > 55 years old with any lens changes
  • Post-trauma or steroid-induced cataract

What a consultation actually looks like

  1. 1
    History & vision testing
    Refraction, distance & near vision, glare testing.
  2. 2
    Slit-lamp & fundus exam
    Grade of cataract, macular health, optic nerve.
  3. 3
    Biometry (IOL power calculation)
    IOL Master 700 or A-scan — takes 5 minutes, painless.
  4. 4
    IOL counselling
    We walk you through all 6 tiers with prices in writing. No upsell.
  5. 5
    Surgery scheduling
    Same-week slots common. Pre-op investigations same day if you wish.

Frequently asked questions

How many cataract surgeries has Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta personally done?
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Over 10,000 cases across a 12+ year practice — this is the personal count, not the clinic's aggregate. High personal volume correlates strongly with lower complication rates in every large audit worldwide.
Is cataract surgery in Varanasi covered under Ayushman Bharat?
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Yes — Shantanu Netralaya is empanelled under PM-JAY / Ayushman Bharat. Standard monofocal cataract surgery is fully covered for eligible beneficiaries. Premium IOLs (toric, EDOF, trifocal) are not covered under the scheme and are paid out-of-pocket.
How long does the surgery take?
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The surgical procedure itself is 12–15 minutes per eye. Total time in the OT (including preparation and dilation) is about 45 minutes.
How soon can I go back to work after cataract surgery?
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Desk / office workers usually return within 3–4 days. Farmers or those in dusty environments should wait 2 weeks. Driving typically resumes at 1 week.
Can I have both eyes operated in one day?
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We prefer a 3–7 day gap between eyes so we can confirm your first eye is settling well before operating the second. Same-day bilateral surgery is offered in select low-risk cases.
What is the recovery like after MICS phacoemulsification?
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Vision is functional within 4–6 hours of surgery. Most patients can read comfortably by day 3 and return to full activities by day 7. Full stabilisation of refraction takes 4 weeks.

Ready to book?

Same-week appointments are common. Bring your previous reports, medications and glasses to the visit.

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Medical disclaimer

This article is for patient education. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, examination or diagnosis. If you have symptoms discussed here, please book an in-person consultation with a qualified ophthalmologist.