Free interactive tool
Cataract Surgery Cost Calculator — Varanasi
Choose your IOL, choose your payment scenario — get a realistic out-of-pocket estimate in seconds. Prices reflect real IOL tiers at Shantanu Netralaya, honestly quoted. No email or sign-up required.
Reviewed by Dr. Shantanu Kumar Gupta Ayushman Bharat accepted — details at hospital
Your live estimate
Standard Monofocal IOL
One eye · Self-pay (no insurance)
Gross bill (surgery + IOL)
₹18,000 – ₹25,000
Your out-of-pocket (estimated)
₹18,000 – ₹25,000
Estimate excludes pre-op biometry (₹1,500–₹2,500), OPD visits, post-op eye drops (₹800–₹1,500) and YAG capsulotomy (₹3,000– ₹4,000, if needed 6-24 months later). Final invoice depends on exact IOL model and biometry findings.
Cost breakdown
What's inside — and what's billed separately
Estimate INCLUDES
- Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) via 2.2 mm phacoemulsification
- IOL (intraocular lens) at the tier you chose
- Topical anaesthesia (drops only, no injection)
- Operating theatre + consumables + surgical team
- Same-day discharge for uncomplicated cases
Billed SEPARATELY
- Pre-op biometry (IOL power calculation) — ₹1,500 to ₹2,500
- OPD consultation visits (pre-op & post-op follow-ups)
- Post-op eye drops for 4-6 weeks — typically ₹800 to ₹1,500
- YAG capsulotomy laser (if needed 6-24 months post-surgery) — ₹3,000 to ₹4,000
- Systemic pre-anaesthesia workup (via patient's physician)
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this cataract surgery cost calculator?+
Estimates are based on published Shantanu Netralaya IOL price ranges — the same tiers we quote in OPD. For private insurance, we assume your policy covers a package of approx ₹25,000–30,000 and the difference is borne by you — the exact amount depends on your individual policy and the final authorisation given by the insurance company. Final invoices also depend on the exact IOL model (brand), biometry findings, and any add-on procedures like YAG capsulotomy later. We're happy to send a written itemised estimate over WhatsApp once we know your biometry.
Is bilateral (both-eye) cataract surgery cheaper than one eye at a time?+
Cost-wise, each eye is billed as a separate procedure — there's no bundled discount because each surgery uses its own IOL, OT time and consumables. Most patients choose to have one eye done at a time (2-3 weeks apart) so the operated eye can heal and give visual feedback before the second eye. Some low-risk patients opt for same-day bilateral surgery to save on travel.
Does the calculator include OPD visits, biometry and medicines?+
No. The calculator shows the IOL + surgery + OT bundle only. Pre-op biometry (IOL power calculation) is a separate OPD investigation billed at ₹1,500–₹2,500. Post-op eye drops for 4-6 weeks typically cost ₹800–₹1,500. YAG capsulotomy (if needed 6-24 months later) is billed separately at ₹3,000–₹4,000.
I have an Ayushman Bharat card. What does the scheme cover for cataract surgery?+
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) covers only an IOL implant worth approximately ₹3,000 for eligible beneficiaries. The scheme does not permit upgrades. Which lens option applies to your case, and any out-of-pocket amount, is clarified at the hospital after your examination — message us on WhatsApp to discuss before you visit.
Why do premium IOLs like Trifocal cost so much more than standard monofocals?+
Trifocal and EDOF IOLs use proprietary diffractive optics manufactured by only a handful of global companies (Alcon Panoptix, Zeiss AT LISA, Johnson & Johnson Tecnis Synergy). The lens itself costs the surgeon between ₹35,000 and ₹85,000 depending on brand and platform. Standard monofocals are commoditised and cost the surgeon ₹1,500-₹4,000. That upstream cost difference flows through to the patient invoice.
Can I get a written estimate to compare with other hospitals in Varanasi?+
Yes — we send a written itemised estimate on WhatsApp before you commit to surgery. Share your biometry report (if done) or just message us with your prescription and age, and we'll return a printable quote within a couple of hours during clinic time.
Prefer a personalised written quote?
Share your prescription or biometry report on WhatsApp and we'll return an itemised, insurance-adjusted quote within a couple of hours during clinic time. No commitment required.
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.