How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost In South Africa?
Cataract surgery is an important way to preserve your sight. With a cataract, the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy and loses clarity, making it difficult to see clearly. Cataract often develops as you age because the lens in your eye does not repair itself once damage occurs. Fortunately, cataract surgery is an affordable option that can restore clear vision in many patients. Read on to learn more about cataract surgery costs in South Africa and find out whether this procedure is right for you. Read on…
What is cataract surgery?
At some point, you may notice decreased vision in one or both eyes. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye, which decreases vision. While cataract is a common condition, it can be treated, and many people see better after surgery. About 1 in 4 people aged 55 and older will develop cataracts, so it’s important to talk with your eye doctor about this potential change in vision. With cataract surgery, your eye doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an implant called an artificial lens. Artificial lenses are made of plastic and may be gas-injected to improve vision.
Types of cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that is commonly done as an outpatient procedure. Depending on your eye condition, your doctor may recommend a particular type of cataract surgery. Phakic cataract: In phakic cataract surgery, the eye is sewn into a sterile, open surgical procedure. This type of surgery is commonly used to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which is caused by the buildup of cells in the retina. Endophthalmitis: Endophthalmitis is an infection of the inside of the eye, most commonly caused by bacteria. In endophthalmitis, the infected lens is removed during cataract surgery.
Clinics in South Africa offering cataract surgery
If you are interested in cataract surgery costs in South Africa, you may want to contact your eye doctor and see if he or she can recommend a clinic that performs the procedure. In addition to treating people with cataracts, most eye centres in South Africa offer other eye care services, including surgery on the cornea (the clear layer of tissue in front of the lens), retina repair, and glaucoma treatment.
Costs of cataract surgery in South Africa
The costs of cataract surgery will depend on several factors, including where you live in South Africa, where you have the procedure performed, and if you have any pre-existing conditions. Generally, the cost of cataract surgery in South Africa is between R85,669.70 and R102,803.64.
Qualification criteria for cataract surgeons in South Africa
If you are interested in cataract surgery costs in South Africa or want to know more about the qualifications for surgeons in your area, contact the Association of Eye Surgeons of South Africa. The organization keeps a list of board-certified surgeons in South Africa and can help you find a doctor with the qualifications you need.
Conclusion
Cataract surgery is an important procedure that can restore your vision. With a cataract, the natural lens in your eye becomes cloudy and loses clarity, making it difficult to see clearly. Cataract often develops as you age because the lens in your eye does not repair itself once damage occurs. Fortunately, cataract surgery is an affordable option that can restore clear vision in many patients. Now that you know more about cataract surgery costs in South Africa, you can make an informed decision about whether this procedure is right for you. Cataract surgery is an important way to preserve your sight.
