Retinal diseases are a real danger to vision and can even create a difficult surgical situation that requires timely medical intervention to prevent needless vision loss or blindness. Over the last decade, retinal surgery in India has become very well recognised internationally for excellence due to modern surgical techniques, retina specialists trained internationally and readily available world-class technology and I must add, at some of the most competitive travel prices compared to Western countries and this has made India a destination of choice for overseas patients from abroad searching for quality care at an affordable price.
For international patients looking to plan retina treatment in India, MediKaya Healthcare offers expert coordination and individualised oversight throughout the medical journey. With a speciality in healthcare facilitation for international patients, MediKaya Healthcare allows the patient to move through the whole experience as comfortably as possible, starting with the first consultation through to post-operative care. MediKaya Healthcare facilitates the experience for the patient with trusted recommendations, compassionate care and a positive experience catered to the individual patient’s needs.
Understanding Retinal Conditions and Surgical Needs
What Is the Retina?
The retina is a delicate layer of tissue found at the back of the eye. It’s responsible for vision by transforming light into neural impulses that move to the brain. Thus, any injury to the retina can drastically affect vision or produce blindness. Retinal disorders tend to be progressive and that’s why it’s important to narrow down the diagnosis and optimise surgical procedures for each case.
Common Retinal Disorders
Retinal disorders vary, both in severity and causality. Some of the most common retinal disorders include:
- Retinal Detachment- Occurs when the retina separates from the layer of underlying tissue (the milieu) and most often, retinal detachment requires emergency surgery.
- Diabetic Retinopathy- Occurs when there is damage to the blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes and results in vision loss.
- Macular Degeneration- Affects one’s central vision and is most common in older adults.
- Macular Hole- A small break in the macula or central retina.
- Epiretinal Membrane- An extremely thin layer of scar tissue that grows on top of the retina and distorts one’s vision.
- Retinal Vein Occlusion: Occurs when a vein deep in the retina becomes blocked, which can cause swelling of the retina and may altogether produce bleeding (hemorrhage).
Types of Retinal Surgery
Retinal surgery is very sophisticated and requires a high level of technology and expertise from the surgeon. The most frequent types of surgery performed in retina centres are:
- Vitrectomy- Involves removing the vitreous gel to gain access to the retina to treat problems such as a haemorrhage or retinal detachment.
- Scleral buckling- A silicone band is placed around the eye to push the wall of the eye closer to the retina.
- Laser photocoagulation- Uses laser energy to seal retinal tears or treat generalised problems, including diabetic retinopathy.
- Cryopexy- Involves treating retinal tears with freezing.
- Macular hole repair- The eye’s delicate surgery to close the holes in the central retina.
All of these procedures require a high level of precision, advanced imaging and importantly, post-surgical equipment that is available in leading eye hospitals in India.
Why Is India the Preferred Destination for Retinal Surgery?
Cost Advantage
One of the primary reasons that international patients seek out retinal surgeries in India is the savings. Typical costs of retinal procedures in India are generally 60 – 80% lower than in Western countries. And it’s important to note that the quality of care offered is comparable to the worldwide standard of care levels.
For example:
- In the United States, retinal surgery can cost between $8,000 and $12,000.
- In the United Kingdom, it ranges from £6,000 to £10,000.
- In Australia, costs can reach AUD 15,000.
- In India, the same procedures are available for $1,500 to $3,000.
These significant savings provide patients the opportunity to access life-changing treatment without significant financial burden.
Advanced Medical Infrastructure
India’s top eye hospitals are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including:
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for high-resolution imaging
- Fundus cameras for detailed retinal photography
- Robotic surgical Tools for precision
- Fluorescein angiography for vascular imaging
- Digital Retinal Imaging Systems
The quality of care in these facilities meets international standards and many are accredited by global bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Highly Skilled Ophthalmologists
India has nearly thousands of ophthalmologists who perform retinal surgery, many of whom have trained and received fellowships in the United States, United Kingdom and Singapore. They not only bring years of expertise but also speak English and other languages, providing assurance of clear communications and high-quality care for international patients.
MediKaya Healthcare: Facilitating Retinal Surgery for International Patients
About MediKaya Healthcare
MediKaya Healthcare is a top healthcare coordination company located in India. It specialises in facilitating international patients seeking medical treatments in India, specifically for retinal and eye care. MediKaya Healthcare is a liaison between international patients and India’s top hospitals and makes the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With a team of experienced coordinators, bilingual case managers and medical advisors, MediKaya Healthcare offers personalised services tailored to each patient’s needs.
Comprehensive Services for Retinal Surgery Patients
MediKaya Healthcare offers a comprehensive array of services designed to facilitate care for international patients before, during and after their retinal surgery:
- Medical Consultation- Free first consultation and second opinion from leading retinal specialists.
- Visa Assistance- Help with medical visa applications and invitation letters.
- Travel Coordination- Assistance with flight bookings, airport pick-up and local transportation.
- Accommodation- Help with booking comfortable accommodations near to the hospital.
- Multilingual Support- Clear and compassionate communication, no matter your language or location.
- Patient Support 24/7- Year-round assistance for medical and logistics needs.
- Post-Operative Care- After-surgery consultations and medication support through telemedicine.
These services ensure that our international patients feel cared for and informed during their entire treatment journey.
Specialised Retina Care Coordination
Allied Hospital Partnerships & Global Accreditations
MediKaya Healthcare partners with some of the most prestigious eye hospitals in India, including:
- Delhi NCR- AIIMS, Centre for Sight, Max Healthcare
- Mumbai- Sankara Eye Hospital, Fortis
- Chennai- Aravind Eye Care, Apollo Hospitals
- Bangalore- Narayana Nethralaya, Manipal Hospitals
These hospitals have an excellent reputation in the field of ophthalmology and provide specialised retinal units.
Advanced Diagnostics and Treatment
Patients have access to the following:
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- OCT scans for clear imaging of the retina
- Fluorescein angiography for the assessment of blood flow
- Digital fundus photography for monitoring disease progression
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques
- Diabetic eye care programmes
- Paediatric retina specialists
MediKaya Healthcare doctors will ensure every patient is matched with the most appropriate specialist and a facility that best aligns with their needs.
Planning Your Retinal Surgery Journey with MediKaya Healthcare
Step-by-Step Process
Planning and coordinating your retinal surgery journey with MediKaya Healthcare is a simple and organised step-by-step process:
- Inquiry- Patients provide their medical reports through the website or email of Medikaya Healthcare.
- Consultation- Free opinion provided by a retina specialist.
- Visa Assistance- Invitation letter for the medical visa application process.
- Travel Planning- Flights and accommodation arranged.
- Arrival and Surgery- Airport pickups, hospital admission and surgery completed.
- Recovery and Tourism- Indian culture experienced during the recovery process.
- Follow Up- Online consultation and medication support following surgery.
This creates a framework for patients to receive the care they need and allows focus on their health while MediKaya Healthcare takes care of the logistics.
Get free second opinion for retinal surgery journey with MediKaya Healthcare
Companion Support
In addition, MediKaya Healthcare provides services to companions who want to accompany patients while travelling, which includes providing arrangements for:
- Dual accommodation
- Local tours and sightseeing
- Translation and cultural assistance
This holistic approach provides comfort and enrichment to both the patients and their families.
Safety, Accreditation, and Ethical Care
Ethical Medical Tourism
MediKaya Healthcare is dedicated to ethical medical tourism. It incorporates ethical practices in the following:
- Transparent pricing- All prices will be disclosed before the time of service.
- No hidden costs- Patients will be aware of costs and given estimates of costs for procedures.
- Informed consent- Procedures are explained and informed consent is acknowledged.
- Data privacy- Patient information will only go to hospital providers (e.g.,physicians) and will be kept confidential.
Patients will be treated with dignity and respect and rights upheld and honoured through the entire treatment process.
COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Protocols
All partner hospitals implement stringent protocols based on WHO and Indian Ministry of Health protocols:
- Clean and sanitised facilities
- Staff that are vaccinated
- PPE is used by staff
- Social distancing measures in place
- Telemedicine options are available to patients
These measures help ensure a safe environment for the patient, as well as staff (and in many cases family).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long is the recovery period?
Recovery varies depending on the type of operation and the person’s overall health. Most patients will be healed after two to four weeks. MediKaya Healthcare provides written post-operative care instructions as well as follow-up appointments to monitor progress.
2. Is it safe to travel after surgery?
Yes. MediKaya Healthcare coordinates a safe travel timeline and provides post-operative care kits to aid comfort during transit. We recommend that patients rest a few days after they arrive prior to flying.
3. Can I bring a companion?
Absolutely. MediKaya Healthcare will arrange for dual accommodations and offer support services for the companions with local tours and translation services.
4. What documents are needed for treatment?
Usually the patient will need:
- Passport
- Medical reports
- Medical visa (MediKaya Healthcare assists with this)
- Travel insurance (optional but recommended)
Conclusion: Why MediKaya Healthcare Is the Smart Choice
Selecting retinal surgery India is more than simply affordability; it is about experience, empathy and excellence. MediKaya Healthcare offers all three and is advised for eye surgery for overseas patients. If you are ready to set up plans for retina treatment in India, MediKaya Healthcare is your best friend.
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