By Mira Van
A cataract is one of the most common occurring eye-related disorders in India. It is commonly known as the clouding of the lens of one’s eye. The condition gradually develops in the eye. This layer of cloudiness slowly blurs the vision or causes double vision. The cataract blocks the natural vision of a person causing excessive discomfort. If not treated in time, this can lead to loss of vision or blindness. Therefore, it is important to treat the condition quickly to avoid complications.
Let us understand what a cataract is and whether your health insurance covers a cataract.
What is a Cataract?
Cataract refers to the cloudiness in one’s eye lens, which reduces the visibility of the person. In addition, as people grow older, their eye lens becomes thicker because of the deposits. This dense and clouded area makes the cornea opaque and leads to a reduction in its flexibility.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common minor surgeries that people in India opt for. This indicates that the surgery is a much-needed one among Indians.
Symptoms of Cataract
Cataract leads to problems with vision as the lumps do not allow clear images to be sent to the retina. This leads to complete or partial blindness. Therefore, getting surgery done is one of the best options to restore your vision in such situations.
While this issue is common among older people, younger people might sometimes experience the symptoms of this condition.
The symptoms of cataract are:
- Blurred vision
- Faded or yellowish appearance of colours
- Double vision in the affected eye(s)
- Issues with vision during the night
- Vision of halos framing the sources of light
- Increased sensitivity to light if there is brightness
Some Causes of Cataract
Although the chances of having a cataract increase with age, there are other factors that can cause a cataract or accelerate its growth.
These include:
- Genetics
- High blood pressure
- Deficiency of vitamins
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Usage of corticosteroid medicines for a long time
With the growth of a cataract, simple tasks like reading a book, watching TV, and driving become difficult as you cannot see properly. But, with the advancement of technology, surgeries have become easy and less complicated.
Is Cataract Covered in Health insurance?
One of the top questions that everyone thinks about is whether cataract surgery is covered under health insurance. The answer is yes. Most health insurance policies cover cataract surgeries. But, certain conditions apply to the coverage.
- Waiting period: Most health insurance plans that cover cataract surgery have a waiting period of 2 years. This means that if you have purchased a medical insurance plan, you need to wait for two years to avail of the cataract coverage. However, if you buy a health insurance policy at an early age, your waiting period will be over by the time you need coverage for cataract surgery.
- Limits on claim amount: Some insurers might place a limit on the amount that you claim for cataract surgery. Any expenses that you incur over and above the maximum claim amount mentioned in the policy have to be borne by you. However, the claim amount can differ from insurer to insurer.
In addition, some insurers might not have any limits on the amount that you can claim. So, it is important to read the policy terms to know whether there is a limit that applies to the amount you can claim for cataract surgery.
- Pre-and post-operative expenses: Most insurers do not cover expenses arising from post-operative care like specialised glasses, medications, and eye drops. You need to pay for these expenses out of your pocket.
Therefore, before buying a policy, you must read the terms and conditions to know the extent of coverage for cataract surgery. It is also essential to know the waiting period and the limits on the amount you can claim for the surgery. You can also opt for a super top up health insurance plan to improve your medical insurance policy coverage.
Tips to Avoid Cataract
A cataract is common, and it affects many people in the country. But, there are some tips that you can use to avoid cataracts:
- Always wear sunglasses or use an umbrella to keep your eyes safe from harmful UV rays when you are in sunlight
- Have a balanced diet and include lots of fruits and vegetables
- Workout regularly to have a healthy body weight
- Avoid smoking
- Ensure that you are going for regular eye checkups
Conclusion
With the growing medical expenses, the benefits of health insurance have increased exponentially. A cataract is a common condition, but it can prove to be costly if you do not have health insurance plans. Therefore, ensure that you have valid health insurance from a reputed insurer like Tata AIG so that you do not have to face any worries if you are diagnosed with a cataract.
