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Cataract Surgery Cost in Kuching (based on real experience)

Surgery light with an eye image and the word cataract surgery cost.

In this post, I will be sharing the cataract surgery cost in Kuching.

And this sharing is based on my mum’s cataract surgery for her right eye, done in October 2018.

So, basically, this whole post is about cataract surgery costs paid by mum and other things related to cataract surgery.

Among them, I will share mum’s whole experience of the surgery, cataract surgery recovery time and the do’s and don’ts after the cataract surgery.

You will also find some additional notes on cataract surgery towards the end of this post.

Table of Contents

What is cataract and cataract surgery?

According to Wikipedia, a cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye which leads to a decrease in vision.

Cataracts are mostly related to ageing. It can affect one eye or both eyes.

Cataracts cause cloudy or misty visions, blurry images and sensitivity to bright lights. A cataract develops slowly over time.

Thus, cataract surgery is needed to remove the natural lens of the eye with cataracts.

Usually, the natural lens will be replaced with an artificial lens. And these artificial lenses can help to restore a person’s vision.

Mum’s cataract story

In mum’s case, in 2016, I noticed that her pupils are a bit cloudy when I had a closer look at her eyes.

So, I brought her to see a local eye specialist.

After a thorough check-up, the eye specialist confirmed that mum has a cataract in both of her eyes.

It is just that the cataract is more serious for her right eye compared with her left eye.

The eye specialist did recommend mum for cataract surgery. He stressed the importance of good eyesight, especially for the elderly like mum. She is almost 80 years old.

But, he didn’t force mum to the cataract surgery.

I still remember he told mum to go back home and to consider the cataract surgery, especially for her right eye.

That first eye check-up appointment cost about RM180 including the reports, consultation fees and a detailed eye check-up.

Mum tried traditional Chinese medicine

After the appointment, mum said she is not ready for the cataract surgery. After all, she still can see quite well.

It is just that her vision is blurry and her eyes are especially sensitive to bright light.

I think mum is not comfortable with the word surgery.

So, when she met an acquaintance who had her cataract cured using traditional Chinese medicine, mum immediately went to see the recommended Chinese physician.

After taking traditional Chinese medicine with acupuncture for four sessions (about one year), mum was still not able to see the positive effect on her eyesight.

Mum spent more than RM1,000 for the four sessions.

Two months later, Mum said she was ready for the cataract surgery for her right eye.

Prior to this, my siblings, nieces and nephews keep asking Mum about her cataract surgery.

Mum’s answer was to wait first and she was not ready yet for the surgery.

Besides no positive results from traditional Chinese medicine, I believe mum eyesight is getting worse as the cataract thickens over time.

Before the cataract surgery, she told me that she can’t see my face clearly when we have conversations.

She only sees a very blurry figure.

Other than that, she also learned that many of our relatives had gone through cataract surgery without much problem.

Mum’s cataract surgery cost

In 2016 when I first brought mum to check her eyes, the eye specialist told us the cataract surgery cost was RM2500 for one eye.

In September 2018, the specialist clinic assistant said it is now RM2,800 for one eye. That is an increment of RM300 within 2 years’ time.

The price of RM2,800 per eye is purely for the surgery cost and does not include other fees and charges.

In total, mum paid RM3,048.00 for her right eye surgery, inclusive of the following:

  • consultation fees during cataract surgery day and 4 consultations after the surgery
  • cataract surgery procedure for the right eye
  • 2 types of eye scanning
  • standard eye testing
  • eyes drop supply for one month after the surgery
  • ECG test

Do take note, for my mum’s cataract surgery cost, it’s the basic procedure. What I meant is, there’s no admission and no other special things such as an eye shield.

Thus, the cataract surgery cost can vary from one patient to another.

Mum’s cataract surgery procedures

Once mum confirmed she wishes to go for cataract surgery, I quickly called up the eye specialist clinic to ask for the procedure.

Since mum is ready for the cataract surgery, we brought her to the eye specialist clinic for another check-up in the morning.

They also performed ECG to check if mum is fit for the surgery on that day. Luckily mum is fit for the surgery.

So, we came back in the afternoon on that same day for the surgery.

Before the surgery, they put some kind of eye drops on mum’s right eye.

Then, the eye specialist performed the surgery and placed the new artificial lens.

The whole procedure is about half an hour. Throughout the whole procedure, mum said it is painless.

Except for the uncomfortable feeling when they are putting on the eye drops.

Also, the part where mum said she saw the movement of colourful light for about 5 to 10 minutes. After the surgery, the eye specialist put an eye pad on mum’s right eye.

They also gave mum a pain killer in case mum need it. The specialist gave mum her clinic card together with the lens card.

And to remind mum to come over for the appointment the next morning to remove the eye pad.

After the cataract surgery

Right after the surgery, we brought mum back to my home.

Earlier on, when mum agreed to the cataract surgery, I offered mum to stay with me so that I can take care of her.

As currently, I am taking a long break from employment, and spending more time with mum is also on my to-do list. Furthermore, my toddler can spend time bonding with his grandma too.

When arrived at my home, mum said her right eye is quite uncomfortable.

She said the uncomfortable feeling is like a light pain of a fresh wound. So, mum took 2 tablets of pain killer.

That day, most of the time mum is resting. Luckily that night mum sleeps well.

First appointment after cataract surgery

The next morning, we brought mum for her first appointment after the cataract surgery. She said the fresh-cut feeling has subsided.

At the eye specialist clinic, the specialist removed the eye pad and examined mum’s right eye.

He said mum’s eye is recovering well and suggested mum wear sunglasses for the next few weeks.

So, mum bought a pair of sunglasses from the eye specialist clinic. It cost RM80.

They also gave mum 2 types of eye drops. Mum will need to use these eye drops 4 times a day. The next appointment will be after 3 days.

For the first appointment after surgery, there is no consultation fee involved.

Mum said, after the specialist removed the eye pad, she immediately can see clearer. She even laughs at the wrinkles on her arms.

Second appointment after cataract surgery

For the second appointment after cataract surgery, the clinic assistant performed simple eye testing on mum’s eyes.

Then, the eye specialist performed further checking using his special equipment. Luckily mum’s eye is recovering well.

The eye specialist instructed mum to continue with both eye drops, 4 times daily.

The next appointment will be after one week. This round also has no consultation fees involved.

Third appointment after cataract surgery

During the third appointment, mum feels much better and more comfortable.

The clinic assistant and eye specialist performed testing and checked on mum eyes.

Thankfully, mum eyes recovering well.

They gave mum a new bottle of one of the 2 types of eye drops. And instructed mum to continue and finish both eye drops.

There is no consultation fee. The next appointment will be in one month’s time.

Fourth appointment after cataract surgery

After one month, mum went for the fourth appointment.

As usual, the clinic assistant performed general testing on mum’s eyes. Followed by a more thorough eye check by the eye specialist.

So far, mum’s right eye has properly healed. They prescribed mum with a new bottle of eye drops.

During this round, mum paid RM20 for the eye drops. There is no consultation fee.

The next follow-up will be in 6 months’ time. I shall update here again once mum completed her fifth follow-up.

Fifth appointment after cataract surgery

In early April 2019, mum went for her fifth appointment.

Similar to all her previous follow-ups, the clinic assistants and the eye specialist performed a thorough checkup on mum eyes.

They said mum right’s eye is healing well.

The specialist did advise mum to consider cataract surgery for her left eye. According to him, the earlier the cataract removal, the easier and less complicated the process.

Mum said to give her some time for consideration.

For the fifth follow-up, my mum paid RM20 for the eye drop and RM60 for consultation fees.

The next follow-up will be in 6 months’ time (October 2019).

Sixth appointment after cataract surgery

In October 2019, mum went for her sixth appointment. Which is also her last scheduled appointment for her cataract surgery.

Upon the usual checkup, mum’s eye is recovering well.

And she paid RM20 for the eye drop and RM60 for consultation fees.

The total cost of mum’s cataract surgery

So, the total cost mum paid for her cataract surgery is as below:

  • Cataract surgery cost and procedure for the right eye: RM3,048.00
  • A pair of sunglasses: RM80.00
  • Additional bottle of eye drops on 4th and 5th follow-up: RM20.00 + RM20.00
  • Consultation fees on 5th follow-up: RM60
  • Eye drops on 5th follow-up: RM20
  • Consultation fees on 6th follow-up: RM60
  • Eye drops on 6th follow-up: RM20
  • Total: RM3,328.00

I think the cataract surgery cost of RM3,328.00 for one eye is quite reasonable. Most importantly, the procedure did improve mum’s eyesight.

My mum paid for the cataract surgery in cash.

There are patients who are covered by their medical and health plans. So, instead of paying cash, their cataract surgery cost is borne by the insurance company.

Do and don’ts after cataract surgery

Before and after the cataract surgery, I helped mum to gather as much information as possible.

I will share the advice from the eye specialist and what mum practices after the cataract surgery.

The advice from the eye specialist is as below:

  • Properly protect the affected eye for the first week
  • Prevent contact with water, dust or steam or smoke for the first week
  • Do not rub the eye
  • Do not bend over as this will put extra pressure on the healing eye
  • No heavy lifting for the first few weeks
  • Put eye drops 4 times a day

What mum practised as below:

  • No hair shampoo for 2 weeks
  • Wash face with a washcloth and prevent water contact with the right eye for 2 weeks
  • No household activity for 2 weeks
  • Walk slowly and no heavy lifting or any other activities for 1 month
  • Wear sunglasses for the first week even when she’s at home, thereafter mum only wears sunglasses when she went out or when watching tv

About 2 months after the surgery, mum said she’s feeling more and more comfortable. But, she still tries to avoid under the sun and also prevent any heavy activities.

Additional notes

After the cataract surgery, mum has some light headaches and occasional dizziness.

Based on the eye specialist, this is due to imbalanced eyesight when a patient is having cataract surgery on one eye instead of both eyes.

As mum also has a light cataract on her left eye, the eye specialist did advise mum to consider cataract surgery for her left eye to overcome the imbalance eyesight issue. But, mum said currently she’s not planning for another cataract surgery on her left eye. She will give herself some time for both of her eyes to adjust her vision.

By then, if she still has some dizziness, she might consider left eye cataract surgery.

Besides, mum also noticed some changes in colour after the cataract surgery.

For example, she said she noticed that the colour of her pants has slightly changed from dark brown to dark purple. Perhaps these are the side effect of one side-eye cataract surgery.

As for traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, there is the actual case whereby the cataract is healed.

Probably it is more suitable for those with mild cataracts. Coupled with the consistent consumption of traditional Chinese medicine and regular acupuncture session.

Final thoughts

According to the nurse at the eye specialist clinic, cataract surgery is very common nowadays. She added that, as we get older, there is a very high possibility that every one of us will need cataract surgery to restore our vision at old age.

I can see some truth in her words.

Because we saw there are quite a number of senior citizens went there for cataract surgery every time we went to the specialist clinic.

Hopefully, my sharing above on cataract surgery cost and its procedure bring benefits to those planning for cataract surgery.

If you have experienced cataract surgery yourself, do share your cataract surgery cost. And perhaps your general comment about the cataract surgery.

Read more: A recommended eye specialist clinic in Kuching

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