One of the most common questions patients ask when facing cataract surgery is: "Kitna kharch aayega?" — How much will it cost? The answer depends on several factors, and understanding what drives the cost helps you make an informed decision that matches both your visual needs and your budget.
IOL (Intraocular Lens) surgery — the technical term for cataract surgery with lens implantation — involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The total cost has two major components: the surgical procedure itself and the IOL type selected. The surgery component is fairly standard across quality hospitals; the IOL choice creates the widest cost variation — from government-scheme pricing with basic lenses to premium pricing for advanced multifocal or trifocal lenses.
At Brar Eye Hospital in Bathinda and Kotkapura, we believe transparent, honest pricing is as important as clinical excellence. This guide provides complete 2026 pricing information for all IOL categories, explains what each includes, outlines insurance and government scheme coverage, and helps you understand how to compare costs across hospitals — not just on price, but on what you're getting for that price.
The monofocal IOL is the most widely used lens worldwide — providing excellent vision at one fixed distance (usually distance, with reading glasses needed for near). It is the only IOL type covered by government health schemes and most insurance policies as standard treatment.
What it corrects: Distance vision (usually set to 0.00 D — no glasses for driving, watching TV, distance activities). Reading glasses required for newspapers, phones, and close work.
Best for: Patients comfortable wearing reading glasses; budget-conscious patients; those on government health schemes; patients with certain retinal or corneal conditions where premium lenses are not recommended.
2026 Cost at Brar Eye Hospital (per eye):
What's included: Pre-operative IOL Master biometry, phacoemulsification surgery with CENTURION platform, IOL implantation, anaesthesia, surgical tray, 3–4 post-operative follow-up visits, prescribed eye drops.
Toric IOLs are monofocal lenses with an additional optical cylinder to correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism (irregular corneal curvature that causes blurry, distorted vision at all distances). For patients with significant astigmatism (above 0.75–1.00 D), a toric IOL provides meaningfully better distance vision quality than a standard monofocal, often eliminating the need for distance glasses entirely.
What it corrects: Distance vision + astigmatism. Reading glasses still required for near.
Best for: Patients with significant pre-existing astigmatism who want clear distance vision without glasses but don't mind reading glasses.
2026 Cost at Brar Eye Hospital (per eye):
Additional requirement: Pre-operative corneal topography for axis planning; intraoperative alignment verification. Precise IOL rotation to the correct axis is critical for astigmatism correction — a technically demanding step rewarded with excellent visual outcomes.
Multifocal and trifocal IOLs use optical diffractive or refractive zones to provide simultaneous vision at multiple distances — distance, intermediate (computer/dashboard), and near (reading). For many patients, these lenses make glasses unnecessary for the majority of daily activities — the most significant quality-of-life upgrade available in modern cataract surgery.
What it corrects: Distance, intermediate, and near vision simultaneously. 78–85% of patients achieve complete glasses independence.
Best for: Active adults who want to minimise glasses dependence; patients with bilateral cataracts where both eyes receive premium IOLs; good candidates without significant pre-existing ocular pathology.
Trade-offs to discuss with your surgeon: Some halos and glare around lights, particularly at night — most patients adapt within 3–6 months (neuroadaptation). Not ideal for heavy night drivers. Not recommended with macular disease or corneal pathology that could affect visual quality.
2026 Cost at Brar Eye Hospital (per eye):
EDOF IOLs take a different approach — instead of creating separate distinct focal points (as multifocal lenses do), they extend the range of clear focus from distance through intermediate into near range. The result: excellent distance and intermediate vision with functional but not perfect near vision, and significantly fewer halos than traditional multifocal lenses.
Best for: Heavy computer users and professionals; frequent night drivers; patients who want reduced glasses dependence but are concerned about halos; patients seeking a "premium but practical" option.
2026 Cost at Brar Eye Hospital (per eye):
| IOL Type | Distance Vision | Near Vision | Astigmatism Fix | Cost per Eye | Insurance Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Monofocal | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Glasses needed | ❌ | ₹15,000–35,000 | ✅ Usually covered |
| Toric Monofocal | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Glasses needed | ✅ | ₹35,000–60,000 | Partial |
| Multifocal | ✅ Good | ✅ Good | ❌ | ₹60,000–1,00,000 | Limited/No |
| Trifocal | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ❌ | ₹80,000–1,20,000 | No |
| EDOF | ✅ Excellent | ⚡ Functional | ❌ | ₹70,000–1,00,000 | No |
| Toric Trifocal | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent | ✅ | ₹1,00,000–1,40,000 | No |
India's national health protection scheme covers cataract surgery with monofocal IOL for eligible beneficiaries (annual family income below ₹5 lakh, as per government criteria). The package rate for cataract surgery under Ayushman Bharat covers hospitalisation, surgery, standard monofocal IOL, anaesthesia, and prescribed medicines. Brar Eye Hospital is empanelled with Ayushman Bharat — eligible patients can access this scheme at our hospital.
Punjab's state health scheme provides additional coverage for BPL and low-income families not covered by Ayushman Bharat. Our team assists patients with eligibility verification and documentation for all applicable schemes.
Government-funded cataract surgery camps periodically offer free or subsidised cataract surgery. Brar Eye Hospital participates in government eye care initiatives in our region — contact us or ask your local PHC about upcoming camps.
Private health insurance coverage varies significantly by policy:
Important: Always check your specific policy document or call your insurance provider before surgery to verify your exact coverage, waiting period, and applicable exclusions.
Price alone is a poor guide to quality in eye surgery. Here's what you should actually be comparing:
⚠️ Beware of Unusually Low Pricing: Cataract surgery at unrealistically low prices (under ₹5,000–8,000) may involve outdated ECCE technique (large incision, stitches), unverified IOL quality, minimal pre-operative assessment, or inadequate sterility — all of which significantly increase complication risk. The sight-threatening cost of a complication far exceeds any savings made on surgery cost.
Your IOL choice should be guided by your ophthalmologist based on:
Our recommendation: Come to Brar Eye Hospital for your pre-operative assessment first. After thorough evaluation, our team will explain which IOL options are appropriate for your specific eyes — and then provide complete transparent pricing for each option. You make the final decision with full information.
Book your pre-operative evaluation at Brar Eye Hospital and receive a complete, transparent cost breakdown for your specific eyes and IOL needs.
