Cataracts: phacoemulsification and premium intraocular lenses

Clouding of the lens, the cataract, is the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide. It progresses slowly: blurred vision, halos around lights, loss of contrast and needing more light to read. It is age-related, although diabetes, steroids or trauma can accelerate it.

The gold standard is ultrasound phacoemulsification, sometimes femtosecond laser assisted, followed by intraocular lens implantation. That is where the real decision lies: a monofocal lens corrects a single distance, while trifocal or extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses restore vision at several distances and reduce spectacle dependence.

It is one of the safest documented procedures in medicine, with success rates near 99% and a 20-minute outpatient operation per eye under topical anaesthesia. Severe complications such as endophthalmitis or cystoid macular oedema are extremely rare. With multifocal lenses, expect a neuroadaptation period and some night halos.

Spain and India have some of the world's highest ophthalmic surgical volumes and have refined premium implant techniques. Thailand stands out for integrating eye surgery into hospital settings that reduce patient anxiety. The range is EUR 1,500 to 3,500 per eye depending on the lens, with five to seven day stays if both eyes are treated.

At medviajes we compare accredited clinics, clarify exactly which lens model the quote includes and organise travel and reviews. Ask a qualified ophthalmologist which lens fits your lifestyle.