The question we get most often from NRI families, usually somewhere in the third or fourth email once trust has built up a bit, is simply: “Okay, but what does this actually cost?” It’s a fair question, and one that’s genuinely hard to answer with a single number, because the honest answer depends on the lens or laser technology chosen, not a flat clinic fee. Here’s a straightforward breakdown, without the vague “contact us for pricing” runaround.
Why There’s No Single Number
Cataract and LASIK pricing both depend on a handful of variables that change the final cost meaningfully:
- For cataract surgery: the lens (IOL) chosen — monofocal, EDOF, or trifocal — is the single biggest cost driver, followed by whether laser-assisted techniques are used for parts of the procedure
- For LASIK and similar procedures: the specific technology (standard LASIK, Contoura Vision, SMILE, or ICL) drives most of the cost difference, along with whether both eyes are being treated in the same visit
- Pre-surgery diagnostics and post-op follow-ups are sometimes bundled into a package price and sometimes billed separately elsewhere — this is one of the most common sources of confusion when comparing quotes between clinics
What’s Generally Included in a Package at iClinix
For most patients, a surgical package includes the pre-operative diagnostic workup, the surgical procedure itself, the specific lens or laser technology selected, immediate post-operative medication, and scheduled follow-up visits during the healing period. We confirm the exact inclusions and total cost during your consultation, once we know precisely which lens or procedure applies to your eyes — this isn’t something we’re able to quote accurately without that information, and we’d rather be upfront about that than throw out a number that doesn’t hold up once you’re in for a screening.
How India Generally Compares to the US, UK, and Gulf
Without quoting exact figures that vary by clinic and change over time, the broad pattern across the medical tourism industry is consistent: cataract and refractive eye surgery in India typically costs a fraction of equivalent procedures in the US or UK — commonly cited estimates put the saving somewhere between 60 and 85 percent for comparable technology and lens or laser options, even after factoring in flights and accommodation for a short trip.
This isn’t because the technology or expertise is lower — Indian centres, including ours, use the same internationally recognised lens brands and laser platforms available at major hospitals abroad, and our surgeons trained at AIIMS, one of the country’s most competitive medical institutions. The cost difference largely reflects lower operating costs, facility overheads, and a different healthcare pricing structure overall, not a difference in the underlying medical technology.
“I’ve had patients come in with quotes from three different countries for the exact same trifocal lens brand we use here, and the price difference was substantial for identical technology. What actually varies more than people expect is which costs are bundled into the headline number, and which get added on afterward.” — Dr. Varun Gogia, Director, iClinix
What Actually Changes the Final Number
A few specific factors, beyond the base procedure choice, that affect your total cost:
- Both eyes in one visit versus staggered visits — most patients doing cataract surgery or LASIK for both eyes complete them close together during a single trip, which is more efficient for NRI patients managing travel logistics
- Whether you need a companion attendant visa and accommodation arranged, which adds to your total trip cost even if it doesn’t change the medical fee itself
- Any additional eye conditions found during screening that need addressing alongside the primary procedure — this is exactly why we run a full diagnostic workup before quoting rather than after
- Currency fluctuation, which matters more than people initially expect when converting a cost estimate from INR into USD, GBP, or AED months before your actual travel date
Getting an Accurate Quote Before You Travel
The most useful thing you can do before booking flights is send us your current prescription, any existing eye reports, and a description of your symptoms or goals, so we can give you a realistic estimate — not a rough range pulled from a website — before you’ve committed to travel dates. This is a routine part of how we work with NRI patients specifically, since we understand that flights and time off work need to be planned around a number you can actually rely on, not a placeholder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cheapest lens or procedure always the right financial choice?
Not necessarily. A cheaper procedure that isn’t well suited to your eyes can lead to needing a second procedure later, which costs more overall than choosing correctly the first time. This is worth discussing openly during your consultation rather than optimising for the lowest upfront number alone.
Does the cost include the flight and accommodation?
No — quoted medical costs cover the procedure and associated care. Our international patient coordination team can help you plan accommodation and local logistics, but travel costs are separate and depend on your point of origin.
Can I get a written cost estimate before travelling to India?
Yes, based on your reports and a description of your condition — a preliminary estimate can usually be shared before you travel, with the final confirmed cost set once we’ve done an in-person diagnostic workup.
Do prices differ between iClinix’s different centres?
Generally no for the same procedure and technology, though it’s worth confirming this directly since availability of specific equipment can occasionally vary by centre.
Is financing or EMI available for international patients?
Payment arrangements are typically structured for the full amount for international patients given the shorter treatment window compared to domestic follow-up care, but this is worth discussing directly based on your specific situation.
Get an Accurate Cost Estimate for Your Trip
Send us your reports and current symptoms, and we’ll give you a realistic estimate you can actually plan travel dates around.
For independent background on comparing medical travel costs across countries, Patients Beyond Borders publishes general, non-affiliated guidance on medical tourism pricing.