Cataract Surgery in Howrah: 7 Signs You Need It
Table of Contents
- What Is a Cataract?
- 7 Signs You Need Cataract Surgery
- Types of Cataract
- IOL Options: Choosing Your New Lens
- What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
- Recovery After Cataract Surgery
- Cataract Surgery Cost in Howrah
- Why Choose Lords Health Care for Cataract Surgery?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- See Clearly Again
Do you find yourself squinting at the newspaper, even with your glasses on? Do car headlights at night hurt your eyes more than they used to? If so, you may have a cataract. A cataract is one of the most common eye problems in people over 60, and it is also one of the most treatable. This guide explains the 7 signs that tell you it is time to consider cataract surgery in Howrah, what the surgery involves, and how to recover well.
What Is a Cataract?
Inside your eye, behind the coloured part (the iris), there is a clear lens. This lens focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, which is how you see clearly. A cataract is when this clear lens slowly becomes cloudy. It is like looking through a foggy window. The cloudier the lens gets, the harder it is to see.
Cataracts develop slowly, often over many years. Most are linked to ageing, but they can also appear earlier in people with diabetes, after an eye injury, after long use of steroid medicines, or because of too much exposure to sunlight without protection. In India, cataract is the leading cause of blindness, but it is also one of the easiest to treat. Surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one, and most people see clearly again within days.
People with diabetes need to be especially careful. High blood sugar speeds up cataract formation, and people with diabetes often develop cataracts earlier than others. If you have diabetes, regular eye checkups matter even more. You can read our guide on diabetes treatment in Howrah to understand how blood sugar affects your whole body, including your eyes.
7 Signs You Need Cataract Surgery
Cataracts do not need surgery the moment they appear. In the early stages, stronger glasses and brighter light may be enough. But when the cataract starts to affect your daily life, surgery is the only effective treatment. These 7 signs tell you it is time to see an eye specialist.
1. Blurry or Cloudy Vision
This is the most common sign. Your vision becomes blurry, cloudy, or dim, as if you are looking through a dirty window. You may feel that your glasses are always smudged, even after cleaning them. If blurriness does not go away with new glasses, the cause is often a cataract.
2. Glare and Halos at Night
Bright lights start to hurt your eyes. Car headlights, street lights, and tube lights seem to have halos or rings around them. Night driving becomes difficult or frightening. This glare happens because the cloudy lens scatters light instead of focusing it. Many people first notice their cataract when night driving becomes hard.
3. Colours Look Faded or Yellow
Colours that used to look bright now seem faded, dull, or yellowish. White clothes look cream-coloured. Blues and purples are hard to tell apart. This happens because the cataract acts like a yellow filter over your vision. After surgery, most people are surprised at how bright and vivid colours look again.
4. Glasses No Longer Help
You change your glasses, but your vision does not improve much. Or you need a new prescription every few months. When glasses stop giving you clear vision, the problem is inside the lens, not in the glasses. No pair of spectacles can fix a cloudy lens.
5. Double Vision in One Eye
You see two images from one eye, even when the other eye is closed. This is different from double vision caused by a squint, which goes away when you close one eye. Double vision from a cataract happens because the cloudy lens splits the light into two paths. It is a clear sign to get your eyes checked.
6. Reading and Daily Tasks Become Hard
Reading the newspaper, seeing your phone screen, recognising faces across the room, cooking, or sewing all become difficult. You need brighter light to read, and even then the words blur. When ordinary tasks take more effort and you start avoiding them, your cataract is affecting your quality of life.
7. Your Glasses Prescription Keeps Changing
If your eye power changes often, or you notice your near vision getting better for a short time (sometimes called "second sight"), the cataract is changing the shape of your lens. This is common in the early stages of a nuclear cataract. It feels like an improvement, but it is actually a sign that the cataract is growing.
If you notice one or more of these signs, book an eye checkup. An eye specialist can measure how much the cataract is affecting your vision and tell you whether surgery is needed now or can wait.
Types of Cataract
Nuclear cataract: The most common type. It forms in the centre of the lens and develops slowly with age. It often causes near vision to improve briefly before it gets worse.
Cortical cataract: White streaks form at the edges of the lens and slowly spread to the centre. It often causes glare and problems with bright light.
Posterior subcapsular cataract: Forms at the back of the lens. It grows faster than other types and affects reading vision and night vision early. It is more common in people with diabetes or those who use steroid medicines.
Congenital cataract: Present at birth or in early childhood. It needs early treatment to protect the child's vision.
Traumatic cataract: Develops after an eye injury. It can appear soon after the injury or many years later.
IOL Options: Choosing Your New Lens
During surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Your eye specialist will help you choose the right type.
Monofocal IOL: The most common and affordable option. It gives clear vision at one distance, usually far. You may still need reading glasses for near work. This is the standard lens used in most surgeries.
Multifocal IOL: Gives clear vision at far, near, and middle distances. It can reduce or remove the need for glasses. It costs more and is not suitable for everyone.
Toric IOL: For people who have astigmatism along with cataract. It corrects both problems in one surgery.
Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL: A newer option that gives a smooth range of vision from far to middle distance, with less glare than multifocal lenses.
The right lens depends on your eyes, your daily activities, and your budget. Your eye specialist will measure your eyes and discuss the options honestly before surgery.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Modern cataract surgery is quick, safe, and painless. It is called phacoemulsification, or phaco surgery. Here is what happens:
Before surgery: Your eye is measured to choose the right lens power. You will be given eye drops and instructions about medicines. The surgery is done as a day-care procedure, which means you go home the same day.
During surgery: The eye is numbed with drops, so you feel no pain. The surgeon makes a tiny cut, about 2 to 3 mm, in the eye. An ultrasound probe breaks the cloudy lens into small pieces and removes them. The new artificial lens is then placed inside the eye. The cut is so small that it usually needs no stitches. The whole surgery takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
After surgery: You rest for a short time and then go home the same day. You will need someone to take you home, since you should not drive after surgery.
Most people feel no pain during the surgery, only mild pressure. You stay awake, and you may see lights and colours during the procedure. It is normal and nothing to worry about.
Recovery After Cataract Surgery
Recovery is usually fast. Most people notice clearer vision within 24 to 48 hours, and vision keeps improving over the next few weeks.
First few days: Your eye may feel scratchy or watery. This is normal. Use the eye drops your doctor prescribes, on time. Do not rub your eye. Wear the eye shield at night for the first week.
First week: Avoid dust, smoke, and water entering the eye. Do not wash your face with water splashing into the eye. Avoid heavy lifting and bending down. You can watch TV and read, but take breaks if your eyes feel tired.
First month: Go for your follow-up visits as advised. Your doctor will check the eye and give you the final glasses prescription after 4 to 6 weeks, once the eye has fully healed.
Serious problems after cataract surgery are rare, but contact your doctor at once if you notice severe pain, sudden loss of vision, flashes of light, many new floaters, or redness that gets worse instead of better.
Cataract Surgery Cost in Howrah
The cost of cataract surgery in Howrah depends on the type of lens you choose and the hospital. In general, the range is:
Monofocal IOL surgery: About Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per eye in most private hospitals in Howrah and Kolkata.
Multifocal or toric IOL surgery: About Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 80,000 per eye, depending on the lens brand and type.
These are approximate ranges. The exact cost depends on the lens, the hospital, and whether any other eye problem needs treatment at the same time. Many health insurance policies and government schemes cover cataract surgery. Ask the hospital billing desk about insurance, cashless options, and any scheme you may be eligible for. At Lords Health Care, the team will give you a clear written estimate before surgery, with no hidden charges.
Why Choose Lords Health Care for Cataract Surgery?
Lords Health Care in Shibpur, Howrah, has a dedicated ophthalmology department offering cataract surgery, LASIK, and complete eye care. The department is equipped with modern diagnostic and surgical facilities, and the eye team works closely with the hospital's diabetes and medicine departments, which matters because many cataract patients also have diabetes.
The hospital is ISO 9001:2015 and NABH certified, which means its systems for patient safety and quality of care are independently checked. For patients, the benefit is simple: a clear estimate before surgery, a day-care procedure with same-day discharge, and structured follow-up visits.
You can learn more about the eye department on the ophthalmology page of Lords Health Care. If you have diabetes and are worried about your eyes, read our guide on diabetes treatment in Howrah, since good blood sugar control protects your vision before and after surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. The eye is numbed with drops, so you feel no pain during surgery, only mild pressure. Most people are surprised at how comfortable it is. You stay awake, and the surgery takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?
Most people notice clearer vision within 24 to 48 hours. The eye keeps healing over 4 to 6 weeks, after which your doctor gives you the final glasses prescription. Serious problems are rare when you follow the aftercare instructions.
Can cataract come back after surgery?
The cataract itself cannot come back, because the cloudy lens is removed. But in some people, the thin membrane behind the new lens can become cloudy months or years later. This is called after-cataract. It is easily treated with a quick, painless laser procedure.
Should I get both eyes operated on at the same time?
Usually, one eye is operated on first. After it heals, usually within a few weeks, the second eye is done. This is safer and lets you adjust to the new vision one eye at a time.
Do I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
It depends on the lens you choose. With a standard monofocal lens, you will likely need reading glasses for near work. With a multifocal lens, many people manage without glasses for most tasks. Your eye specialist will explain what to expect before surgery.
See Clearly Again
Cataract is common, but it does not have to take away your sight. If you notice blurry vision, glare at night, faded colours, or glasses that no longer help, do not wait. An eye checkup takes only a few minutes and tells you exactly where you stand. Modern cataract surgery in Howrah is quick, safe, and painless, and most people see clearly again within days.
If you are in Howrah and worried about your vision, visit the ophthalmology department at Lords Health Care. Our eye specialists will examine your eyes, explain your options honestly, and help you choose the right treatment. Early action today can save your sight tomorrow.
Lords Health Care
13/3, Circular 2nd Bye Lane, Kona Expressway, Shibpur, Howrah - 711102 (Near Nabanna)
Phone: +91-8272904444 | Toll-Free: 18003090895
Website: www.lordshealthcare.org
Book your eye checkup today and take the first step toward clear vision.
