Yes. Star Health and Allied Insurance Company provide coverage for cataract surgery under multiple plans, including Star Family Health Optima policy, Star Family Delite Insurance policy, Star Care Insurance policy, Diabetes Safe policy, Aarogya Sanjeevani policy, etc.
Star Health Insurance policies cover cataract surgery up to INR 40,000 per eye for each hospitalisation or INR 40,000 in a policy term. It covers the expense of the surgery, hospitalisation, and post-surgery charges.
However, Star Health Insurance plans cover the cost of cataract surgery after two years of policy inception. The cover may also come with a sub-limit. For example, the Aarogya Sanjeevani policy covers cataract surgery subject to a sub-limit of 25% of the sum insured or INR 40,000, whichever is lower.
Having Star Health Insurance Makes Sense Given the Cost of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is costly. Generally, cataract surgery for a single eye can cost between INR 15,000 and INR 30,000. The surgery cost can climb up to INR 60,000 per eye if advanced technology is used for the surgery. It also involves post-operative care, similar to eye drops and medicines, that can increase the overall medical charges. As a result, not everyone can afford this cataract surgery freely.
The only way to manage a cataract surgery without using the savings is by buying a health insurance plan that covers cataract surgery. Several health insurance policies in India cover the expense of cataract surgery.
So, What is Cataract?
A cataract is a disease or problem that leads to the clouding of the clear eye lens. The step-by-step circumstance of a layer on the eye lens blocks natural vision. It results in a blur or partial image and can lead to blindness. A cataract develops sluggishly and doesn't impact eye vision primarily. It increases over time and can ultimately interfere with a person’s eyesight. As a result, cataract is substantially diagnosed in senior people above the age of 50 years.
Causes of Cataract
When a person develops a cataract, their vision is similar to looking through a fogged-up window. The eyesight deteriorates with time, leading to a complete loss of sight. It makes it difficult for some people with cataracts to see quickly and exercise regularly, like reading a book or driving a car.
The following can be why a cataract develops:
- The most common reason for developing cataracts is old age or an eye injury leading to eye lens tissue changes.
- Still, cataracts can also develop due to medical conditions like diabetes, eye conditions like once eye surgery and long-term use of steroids.
- Genetic diseases can also increase the risk of developing cataracts.
A cataract is considered one of India's significant reasons for bilateral blindness. But cataracts can be treated before it leads to loss of vision with the help of cataract surgery.
How is Cataract Surgery Performed?
Cataract surgery refers to removing the eye's lens and, in most cases, replacing the eye lens with an artificial lens to restore vision. It's the most common and the only way to remove the cataract from the eye.
Cataract surgery is a safe procedure by an ophthalmologist or an eye specialist doctor. Doctors now utilise laser technology for cataract surgery with these recent technological advancements. The case doesn't have to get hospitalised for cataract surgery as it can be done as an outpatient treatment.
Precautions to Prevent or Slow Down Cataract
Although there are no proven ways to minimise cataracts or help, doctors believe the following preventives can help. Take a look:
- Get your eye checked regularly to detect cataracts at an early stage.
- Follow your treatment procedure daily if you have medical conditions like diabetes that can increase the trouble of cataracts.
- Quit and avoid smoking as much as possible.
- Limit the taking of alcohol to the minimum to reduce the trouble of cataracts.
- Sustain a healthy diet that consists of a lot of fruits and vegetables.
- Wear sunglasses to cover your eyes from ultraviolet B rays when stepping out in the sun.
Conclusion
A cataract is a common disease among seniors in India. It's essential to determine cataracts early and undergo surgery if it interferes with eye vision. Given the high expense of the surgery for each eye, it's advisable to buy a Star health insurance plan to cover the cost of cataract surgery without a financial burden.
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