1. Advantages of treating cataracts |
2. Cost of surgery in Turkey |
3. Cost of surgery in Germany |
4. Cost of surgery in Korea |
5. Comparison of the cost of the procedure |
According to data published on the website of the US National Library of Medicine, approximately 10,000,000 cataract surgeries are performed worldwide each year. The frequency of these interventions ranges from 100 to 6,000 per million population. Where you can have your cataract lens replaced abroad and how much you will have to pay for this procedure in 2023 – find out from our article.
Comparison of the cost of lens replacement for cataracts abroad
| Procedure |  Turkey |  Germany |  South Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye lens replacement | from $1,700 | from €4,000 | from $3,000 |
Advantages of eye lens replacement surgery abroad
Eye lens replacement is the “gold standard” of cataract treatment. This intervention is performed abroad according to international standards of eye microsurgery. Medical tourists travel abroad for cataract treatment due to factors such as:
the success rate of the surgery reaches 99%;
surgeons’ experience exceeds 20 years;
the use of 3D visualisation;
9 out of 10 patients have no complications;
use of individually designed lenses for each patient;
access to laser and ultrasound devices of the latest generation IntraLase iFS, ZEISS VisuMax, etc.
Removal of the clouded lens is performed under local anaesthesia. The intervention lasts 10-15 minutes. Using microsurgical instruments, the ophthalmologist makes a 1-3 mm long incision. The affected lens is crushed into separate fragments by ultrasound or laser and extracted by vacuum. This avoids the traumatisation of the surrounding healthy tissues.
The risks of infection and other complications are minimised.
According to Dr Laura Fine, an ophthalmologist at Harvard University Massachusetts General Hospital, lens replacement surgery for cataracts has a high success rate and the rate of vision-threatening complications is relatively low. After the procedure, the patient can return to normal life in just a few days.
What is a cataract?
It is a partial or complete clouding of the lens of the eye that leads to loss of vision. Cataract affects 1 in 6 people in the world and over 70% of them are elderly. In a year it causes complete blindness in more than one million inhabitants of the planet. It is impossible to eliminate this pathology without surgery.
In the leading foreign hospitals, a multifocal lens of the latest generation is installed in place of the cataract lens. This type of IOL makes it possible to see equally well at distant and close distances. According to the statistics of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), thanks to the surgery, 95% of patients regain their vision. They do not need to wear glasses. You can start your usual activities within an hour after the procedure.
For cataract treatment abroad, please leave an application on the website. Our specialists will call you back as soon as possible and answer all your questions regarding lens replacement in a foreign clinic.
Cost of eye lens replacement in Turkey
The price of lens replacement for cataract in one eye in Turkey in 2023 is $1,600. The price includes the anaesthesiologist’s consultation, anaesthesia, surgery, post-operative examinations, medicines and consumables.
Artificial lens implantation is the most frequent treatment among foreign patients who come to ophthalmological centres in Turkey. This intervention accounts for more than 60% of all eye surgeries performed in this country.
Turkey’s leading cataract specialists are Halil İbrahim Altınsoy and Suphi Acar. They are ophthalmologists with 30 years of experience. They have performed thousands of eye lens replacements.
The doctors honed their skills in the best medical centres in England, America and Germany. Now doctors Altınsoy and Acar practice at the Batıgöz Eye Centre.
Where can I get my eye lens replaced for cataracts in Turkey?
Reviews about eye lens replacement in Turkey
Clinic: Batıgöz
Procedure: Lens replacement
Patient’s age: 50 years old
Patient from: Yerevan
Adia: “I needed eye lens replacement in both eyes. I applied for help at a Turkish hospital. I underwent the operation at Batıgöz Ophthalmology Centre. The result is that I can see clearer. Plus the price of lens replacement for cataracts in Turkey was very reasonable. Thank you to everyone who helped me!”
Clinic: Liv Ulus
Procedure: Cataract surgery
Patient’s age: 49 years old
Patient from: Kyiv
Nikolay: “My eyesight after IOL replacement in the Turkish clinic Liv Ulus has significantly improved. I did not even expect that everything would be so good. Now I see much better. I recommend the hospital and doctors!”
How much does eye lens replacement cost in Germany?
The cost of eye lens replacement surgery in Germany is based on several criteria: the type of implant, the level of the medical centre and the qualifications of the ophthalmologist. In German ophthalmological clinics, the approximate price of the procedure in 2023 is €4,000 per eye.
Approximately 600,000 cataract surgeries are performed in Germany per year. The long-term experience of German ophthalmologists and the introduction of new technologies in this field guarantee high efficiency and safety of lens replacement. The best specialists in this field are:
Professor Manfred Tetz is a renowned ophthalmologist with more than 105,000 eye surgeries to his credit. He has the highest success rate for cataract surgery in Europe.
Professor Klaus Kursiefen is the director of the Centre for Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Cologne. He has been practising for more than 33 years. The doctor performs eye lens replacement using a femtosecond laser.
Where is eye lens replacement surgery performed in Germany?
Reviews of eye lens replacement in Germany
Clinic: Spreebogen
Procedure: Cataract removal and lens replacement
Patient’s age: 40 years old
Patient from: Kharkiv
Marina: “I had a cataract in one eye. I suffered for a long time and decided that something should be done about it. I didn’t dare to have an operation in my native country. Plus there was an opportunity to go to Germany and perform interventions there. The Spreebogen Centre was recommended to me. Here I successfully underwent ultrasound phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. I have been able to see perfectly well for six months now. Thank you!”
Clinic: University Hospital Cologne
Procedure: Laser lens replacement
Patient’s age: 60 years old
Patient from:: Almaty
Bakir: “My children persuaded me to have a laser operation for cataract removal. Frankly speaking, I was very worried and thought that my eyesight would become even worse than it was before. But my fears were in vain. Once I got to the clinic in Cologne, I realised that I was in safe hands. The duration of the lens replacement operation did not exceed 30 minutes.”
Price of lens replacement in South Korea
The estimated price of lens replacement in the eye performed in clinics in South Korea in 2023 is $3,000. This is the cost of surgery on one eye plus costs related to post-operative care.
Over 5,000,000 cataract surgeries are performed every year in major ophthalmological centres in Korea.
Here, they use innovative intraocular lenses that have filters that protect the retina from ultraviolet light.
About 98% of patients at these medical facilities are completely satisfied with the service and treatment results.
Read: Where do they perform cataract surgery for foreigners in Korea?
Reviews of eye lens replacement for cataract in Korea
Clinic: Hangil Procedure: Cataract surgery Patient’s age: 57 years old
Patient from: Vladivostok
Valentina: “Having weighed all the pros and cons, I decided to have my lens replaced. The procedure was performed in the Korean medical centre Hangil. My vision after lens replacement has improved significantly. I am satisfied with the result and can recommend this clinic for treatment.”
Clinic: SoonChunHyang
Procedure: Ultrasound phacoemulsification
Patient’s age: 40 years old
Patient from: Nakhodka
Igor: “I always thought that lens replacement was an expensive treatment. However, it turned out to be far from that. The price of cataract surgery at the SoonChunHyang Hospital in
Korea did not exceed $2,300. I am very happy that I went here and got my sight restored.”
Summary
The price of lens replacement surgeries abroad is formed based on many criteria: the level of the medical centre, the type of implant, the type of surgical intervention, the qualifications of the doctor, etc.
In Turkey, lens replacement for cataracts can be performed at Liv Ulus Clinic and Batıgöz Eye Centre. The approximate price of cataract surgery there is $1,300.
Medical tourists who need eye lens replacement with multifocal IOL implantation turn to such medical centres as Spreebogen and the University Hospital of Navarra. The price of cataract removal in Germany is €4,000.
For cataract eye lens replacement in Korea, foreigners choose the Hangil and SoonChongHyang Hospitals. The approximate price of eye lens replacement in Korean hospitals is $3,000.
To treat cataracts abroad, please contact MediGlobus’ coordinating doctors. We will help you choose an eye centre and organise your trip.
Sources:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- National Center for Biotechnology Information
- National Eye Institute
- Harvard Medical School
