Cataract Surgery Cost in Delhi: CGHS, Govt & Private

Quick answer

Cataract surgery in Delhi can be broadly categorized into three main cost types: subsidized rates under government health schemes like CGHS, self-pay rates at government hospitals, and estimates from private hospitals. The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) covers eligible central government employees and pensioners for cataract surgery at empanelled hospitals. The rates under CGHS are fixed and generally lower than private sector costs. For example, phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL under CGHS has package rates that exclude the cost of the intraocular lens (IOL), which is reimbursed separately. Government hospitals also offer self-pay options, which are typically more affordable than private facilities. Private hospitals offer a wider range of technologies and lens options, leading to a broader cost spectrum, from standard procedures to advanced laser surgeries with premium lenses. The total cost in the private sector can vary significantly based on the chosen hospital, surgeon's experience, and the type of IOL implanted.

CGHS and Government Schemes

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides coverage for cataract surgery for eligible beneficiaries. Hospitals empanelled with CGHS offer cashless facilities for these procedures. The CGHS package rates are set by the government and are generally lower than private hospital charges. For instance, the CGHS rate for phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL (excluding the IOL cost) was around ₹10,781 for non-NABH accredited hospitals and ₹12,398 for NABH accredited hospitals as of October 2025. The cost of the IOL itself is reimbursed separately by CGHS up to a notified ceiling rate. Other government schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the Delhi Arogya Kosh program may also cover cataract surgery costs for eligible individuals. Some government hospitals offer free or highly subsidized cataract surgery, with costs potentially ranging from free to ₹10,000.

Government Hospitals (Self-Pay)

For patients who do not fall under CGHS or other specific schemes but prefer to use government facilities, self-pay options are available. These rates are generally lower than those in private hospitals. While exact current self-pay tariffs for all government hospitals are not always readily available, they are understood to be significantly more affordable than private sector pricing. For example, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Delhi is mentioned as having very low costs, potentially between ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.

Private Hospitals (Estimates)

In Delhi's private sector, the cost of cataract surgery can vary widely. This variation is due to several factors, including the type of surgical technique used, the brand and type of intraocular lens (IOL) implanted, the hospital's reputation and facilities, and the surgeon's experience.

• Surgical Techniques:
• Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) is a more traditional method.
• Phacoemulsification is a common and modern technique using ultrasound.
• Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) uses smaller incisions.
• Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) is an advanced, bladeless technique.

• Intraocular Lenses (IOLs):
• Monofocal lenses correct vision at one distance (usually far) and are generally the most affordable.
• Multifocal lenses provide vision correction at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses.
• Toric lenses are designed to correct astigmatism.
• Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lenses offer a continuous range of vision.

The cost for cataract surgery in private hospitals in Delhi can range from approximately ₹15,000 for basic procedures to over ₹1,00,000 or more for advanced techniques with premium lenses. For example, standard phacoemulsification with a monofocal lens might range from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 per eye. Advanced laser surgery with premium multifocal or toric lenses can cost between ₹70,000 to ₹2,00,000 per eye. Some sources indicate a broader average range of ₹25,000 to ₹1,10,000 for cataract surgery in Delhi.

Practical Questions

• What is CGHS?

CGHS stands for the Central Government Health Scheme. It is a welfare scheme for central government employees and pensioners, providing them with comprehensive healthcare facilities. Many hospitals in Delhi are empanelled with CGHS, meaning they accept CGHS beneficiaries for treatment, often with cashless facilities.

• What is an Intraocular Lens (IOL)?

An IOL is an artificial lens that replaces the eye's natural lens during cataract surgery. There are different types of IOLs, such as monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses, which affect the cost and the type of vision correction achieved.

• What is Phacoemulsification?

Phacoemulsification is a modern surgical technique for cataract removal. It uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to break up the clouded lens into small pieces, which are then removed from the eye through a small incision.

• What is SICS?

SICS stands for Small Incision Cataract Surgery. It is a method where the cataract is removed through a slightly larger incision than phacoemulsification, and it is generally a more cost-effective option.

• What is Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery?

This is an advanced technique that uses a femtosecond laser to create precise incisions and to soften the cataract before its removal. It is known for its precision and can lead to faster recovery, but it is also more expensive.

CGHS Package Rates for Cataract Surgery

CGHS rates are fixed by the government for empanelled hospitals. These rates are generally lower than private sector prices. As of October 2025, the CGHS package rates for cataract surgery, such as phacoemulsification with a foldable IOL, exclude the cost of the IOL itself, which is reimbursed separately by CGHS up to its notified ceiling rate. For example, the CGHS rate for phaco with foldable IOL was ₹10,781 (non-NABH) and ₹12,398 (NABH). For Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) with IOL (excluding IOL cost), the CGHS rate in metro cities (Tier X, NABH) was ₹13,400. Other CGHS rates include Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) with IOL at ₹3,450 (non-NABH) and ₹3,968 (NABH). Cataract extraction with IOL with capsular tension rings (Cionni's ring) had a CGHS rate of ₹13,500 (non-NABH) and ₹15,525 (NABH). It is important to note that these rates are subject to revision and beneficiaries should verify the latest rates with the CGHS website or empanelled hospitals.

Government Hospital Cash Rates (Self-Pay)

Specific cash rates for cataract surgery in government hospitals for self-paying patients are not always published in detail. However, these rates are consistently lower than private hospital charges. For instance, AIIMS is mentioned as a facility where costs can be as low as ₹5,000 to ₹10,000. Government hospitals, in general, can perform the procedure for costs ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000.

Private Hospital Estimates

The cost of cataract surgery in private hospitals in Delhi varies significantly based on the chosen procedure and lens.

• Standard Cataract Surgery (e.g., Phacoemulsification with Monofocal IOL):
• The estimated cost can range from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 per eye.
• Some sources suggest a range of ₹15,000 to ₹35,000 for standard phaco with a monofocal IOL.
• The average cost for phacoemulsification surgery is cited between ₹25,000 and ₹145,000.

• Advanced Cataract Surgery (e.g., MICS, Laser Surgery with Premium IOLs):
• Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) can start from ₹25,000 onwards.
• Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) can range from ₹70,000 to ₹2,00,000 per eye.
• Cataract surgery with premium lenses (multifocal or toric) can cost between ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000 per eye.
• The overall cost for premium cataract surgery with advanced lenses can range from ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 per eye.
• Some estimates place the average cost of cataract surgery in Delhi between ₹25,000 and ₹1,10,000.
• The total cost, including lenses, can range from ₹24,000 to ₹1,18,000 for one eye in Delhi.
• A broader range for cataract surgery in Delhi is cited as ₹9,000 to ₹108,000.

Factors Influencing Cost

Several factors influence the final cost of cataract surgery:

• Type of Surgical Technique: Basic techniques like SICS are less expensive than advanced ones like Femtosecond Laser surgery.
• Type of Intraocular Lens (IOL): Monofocal lenses are generally cheaper than multifocal, toric, or EDOF lenses, which offer advanced vision correction. The cost of IOLs can range from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 for basic ones, and premium lenses can cost ₹45,000 to ₹1,65,000 or more.
• Hospital and Surgeon: The reputation, facilities, and location of the hospital, as well as the experience and expertise of the surgeon, can affect the price.
• Inclusions in the Package: It is crucial to understand what is included in the quoted price, such as pre-operative tests, medications, post-operative care, and the type of IOL.

Sources