The cost of cataract surgery in Philippines can vary, depending on several factors. These may include the technology used during the procedure, the type of IOL implanted, the specific diagnostic tests carried out preoperatively and the surgeon's expertise. However, cataract surgery is generally covered by most insurance plans under medically necessary procedures.
It is advised to consult with your healthcare provider or insurer for a precise cost estimate. Remember, an accurate cost estimate should cover all aspects of the procedure, from the consultation and diagnostic tests to the surgery itself and post-operative care.
The cataract surgery procedure typically involves a skilled ophthalmologist creating a small incision in the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Tiny instruments are then used to break up the cloudy lens, which is then removed. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to replace the natural lens.
The surgery generally takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is usually performed under local anaesthesia that numbs the eye, so the patient stays awake but feels no pain. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients can go home the same day after a short recovery period in the clinic.
If you're travelling to Philippines specifically for cataract surgery, it's advisable to plan for a stay of at least two to three days. This time allows for the pre-operative assessment, the day of the surgery, and a postoperative check-up before travelling home.
Staying a bit longer provides time for the eye to start healing and allows for a follow-up examination to ensure everything is well. It is always essential to discuss staying duration with your healthcare provider before making any arrangements.
Recovery times for cataract surgery procedures vary from person to person, but typically, patients notice an improvement in their vision within a few days of the procedure. However, full healing can take about a month.
During the first few days post-operation, the eye may feel itchy and sensitive. It is also common for a mild burning sensation or grittiness to be experienced. Patients are advised not to rub the eye and to use the prescribed eye drops to help with the healing process and reduce inflammation. Complete visual results and the settling down of any post-operative symptoms could take from several weeks to a few months.
The success rate of cataract surgery procedures in Philippines is very high, similar to other developed regions. As a mature and well-established procedure, the percentage of patients with significantly improved vision following cataract surgery is greater than 95%.
However, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated. These risks mainly involve infection, bleeding, inflammation, detachment of the retina, pressure changes in the eye and sometimes light sensitivity. Most of these complications are extremely rare and can be managed effectively if they occur.
While there is no definitive alternative to cataract surgery, there are some possible management strategies to delay the operation. These may include:
However, these alternatives only address the symptoms rather than the underlying cause, the cataract itself. Once the cataract impairs the quality of life significantly, surgery will likely be recommended. Make sure to discuss the best course of action with your healthcare provider.
Before the cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye examination to measure the size and shape of your eye. This information is necessary to choose the right type of IOL.
After the surgery, you can expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may initially be blurry as your eye adjusts to the new IOL. You may also experience soreness or itching in the eye, but this should subside within a few days.
Aftercare is vital for a successful cataract surgery outcome. You will be prescribed eye drops to prevent inflammation and infection. These must be used according to the prescribed schedule. It's essential to prevent anything from bumping into your eye or any unnecessary pressure.
Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your healing process. Patients are usually instructed to wear a protective eye shield while sleeping for a week or so after surgery. Activities like reading or watching television can resume soon after surgery, but strenuous activities or heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks.
While it is medically possible to perform cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time, it's not the usual practice in Philippines or in most places worldwide. The wait between surgeries for the second eye is usually one to two weeks.
This is to reduce the risk of potential complications affecting both eyes simultaneously and to ensure the first eye is healing well. However, the decision ultimately depends on the patient's condition and the surgeon's discretion.
Whether you'll need to wear glasses after cataract surgery depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) you choose and the accuracy of the IOL power prediction. Monofocal IOLs often require the patient to use reading glasses for close work, while multifocal or accommodating IOLs can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses.
However, you may still need glasses for certain activities, even with the more advanced IOLs. Also, if there is residual refractive error after the surgery (astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness), glasses might be required. You should discuss these details with your ophthalmologist.
Yes, you will be awake during cataract surgery. However, don't let this concern you. The procedure is generally performed under local anaesthetic, so you won't feel any discomfort. Your eye will be numbed, and in most cases, you might receive a mild sedative to help you relax.
The process is swift, usually taking between 20 and 30 minutes, and you won't see the details of the surgery. You might see light and movement, but you won't observe the surgical procedure itself. Before the surgery, your doctor will discuss the procedure and answer any questions, so you'll know what to expect.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers. This content was last updated on 21/09/2023.
The Philippines is an island nation in the heart of Southeast Asia. It extends from the south of China to the northern tip of Borneo. It is also known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient Seas’, the Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. It comprises three main island groups, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Manila, the capital city, lies in the southwestern part of Luzon. Quezon City is the largest and most populous city in the country.
It is a prominent English-speaking country and was once a colony of Spain and the United States. It’s the most Westernised country in Asia. However, its culture is a mix of indigenous Malay culture and Spanish and American heritage.
Besides being one of the top tourist destinations, the Philippines is also an emerging medical tourism destination. It ranks in 8th position among popular medical tourism countries and more than 10,000 medical tourists visit the Philippines every year for various treatments. The following factors all contribute to the progress of medical tourism within the Philippines.
The most common and popular procedures and treatments in the Philippines are cosmetic surgery, weight-loss surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. As of late, people come here even for liver and kidney transplant surgeries, and cardiac surgeries due to the cost advantage it provides.
For example, a Breast Augmentation surgery that costs between $7,500-$8,500 in the US costs only between $3,000-$3,500 in the Philippines which would be a saving of about 58% to 60%. Also, a coronary artery bypass surgery costing $70,000-$133,000 in the US, will only cost between $11,500-$17,500 and would result in a saving of almost 83% to 86%. Even after adding travel and living expenses, it still makes it a, very good value for the patient to get medical care in the Philippines and several of the more popular Hospital and Clinics are located in Manila, and are St. Luke's Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City and Asian Hospital and Medical Center
The Philippines has a total land area of 116,000 square miles, with a large population of 107,791,044 million people. It has many pristine beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands, heritage towns, and monuments, With hotels, food, and transportation very affordable, it’s also a good budget tourism destination.
The following are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the Philippines:
Boracay and Siargao are other popular tourist spots with their powdery white sand and water activities.
The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate. The general weather is hot and very humid. It experiences only three seasons:
The average temperature of the Philippines ranges between 25°C and 32°C (78-90°F) with humidity of about 77%. High-altitude areas are much cooler, with night temperatures dropping to 20°C (68°F). The average annual temperature is around 26.6°C (79.9°F)
The Philippines is an island nation, most international travelers reach the country by air. The country has many international airports in various cities including Cebu, Davao, Manila, Kalibo, and Angeles.
Many airlines operate flights in and out of Manila to several destinations. Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Asia are the national carriers of the Philippines. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and many Middle Eastern airlines operate direct flights to Manila. The Southeast Asian cities of Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City have wide connectivity to Manila and Cebu. You can reach Manila directly from London by flying Philippine Airlines. US travelers can fly via Japan to the Philippines.
Cebu Pacific, Tigerair Philippines, and PAL Express are some low-cost carriers that service domestic destinations in the country.
For transport within the Philippines, you have Jeepneys which are WWII- army jeeps converted into transport jeeps. They are cheap, open, and usually fully loaded with passengers which are normally cramped with 14 to 20 people sitting shoulder to shoulder depending on the length of the vehicle They operate as collective taxis, picking up and dropping passengers within cities.
Travelers from more than 150 countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines can enter the country without a tourist visa. EU, Australia, Japan, and the US are a few visa-exempt countries. In general, you can stay for up to 30 days, provided your passport is valid for at least six months after your arrival. Showing proof of onward and return journeys is compulsory.
Citizens of India, China, and Egypt are some of the countries that will need to get a visa in advance to enter the Philippines.