Cataract Surgery in Mexico

Among the available procedures within the growing industry of medical tourism in Mexico is cataract surgery. A cataract is a term used for the clouding of the eye’s lens, which remains clear and colorless on healthy eyes. In the case of early cataract, patients are usually prescribed new corrective eyeglasses and anti-glare sunglasses.

They’re also advised to use magnifying glasses and to work under good lighting conditions. Cataract surgery in Mexico is a financially feasible option for those whose ailment is too serious to be corrected by non-invasive measures, and cannot afford eye surgery back home.

Mexico is one of the places that offer low-cost eye surgery. Besides that, cataract surgery in India, Turkey, South Korea, and Jordan, is also available at reasonable lower cost. There are several surgical procedures possible, so prices vary, but you can be sure that cataract surgery costs in Mexico are lower than costs you could incur in the US or in the UK.

You can trust eye surgeons and doctors in Mexico to deliver where it matters as the World Health Organization ranks the country as the 61st best in the world.

Why You Should Get Cataract Surgery

• Common among older people, cataracts affect half of octogenarians in the United States. Some of the symptoms associated with the affliction are:
  • Color perception difficulties
  • Light sensitivity
  • Difficulties seeing at night
  • General decrease in vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Multiple vision
• Think of it as looking through a glass that’s going opaque. There are several ways to determine the presence of cataract:
• Visual acuity test that determines how well you can see at several different distances
• Color vision test
• Tonometry test that measures pressure within an eye using an instrument.
• Glare/light and contrast sensitivity tests

In severe cases of cataracts, the cloudy growth can leak within the other eye parts, causing painful glaucoma or an inflammation. Laser eye surgery would entail removal of the cloudy lens to be replaced by a lens implant, thereby restoring your eyes’ vision. Some procedures do not even require overnight hospital stay. Hence, you don’t have to worry about staying away from home for a long period if you decide on getting cataract eye surgery in Mexico.

Types of Cataract Surgery

There are three types of procedures eye surgeons in Mexico can perform.

• Intracapsular surgery: Rarely performed these days, intracapsular surgery involves removal of the whole lens structure composed of the cortex, the nucleus, and the capsule. This particular type is used when the eye’s lens is dislocated.
• Extracapsular surgery: A long incision is made on the edge of the cornea in order to remove the cloudy core of the eye’s lens. The rest of the lens is then sucked out.
• Phacoemulsification: This is the most commonly performed procedure as of late. A device is inserted within the cornea through a small incision. This device then emits ultrasound that’s responsible for the softening and breaking of the lens slated to be removed by suction.

Success Rate and Complications of Cataract Surgery

According to an Australian government web site with information provided by the Centre for Eye Research Australia, approximately 85% of the people who have undergone cataract surgery regain vision clear enough to be able to drive vehicles.

Complications that arise from laser eye surgery are rare. However, there are common risks involved, too, such as bleeding and infection. The same Australian web site also mentions that around 25% of all those who underwent the cataract surgery can also develop another cloudy growth on the capsule that supports the implanted lens. Further laser eye surgery is then advised.

Tips for Getting Cataract Surgery in Mexico

• If you’re an American citizen, you are advised to register to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This ensures that the United States government can assist you in cases of emergency.
• Entry and exit requirements for the country could be found on the official web site of the Embassy of Mexico. Passports are one of the usual requirements.
• If you’re an American traveling by air beyond the US-Mexico border zone, you are required to acquire a Visa or a tourist card also known as FMM from the consulates of Mexico.
• If you plan to cross the Mexico border by land, you must get a temporary import permit for your vehicle.
• While millions of US Citizens successfully visit Mexico every year, you are advised by the United States government to be alert at all times, especially within the border regions as crime and violence persist within the country.

Why Choose Mexico for Your Cataract Eye Surgery

• So why should you choose laser eye surgery in Mexico? Several factors can dictate why it’s the most feasible option for you.
• Cataract surgery cost in Mexico is one of the primary factors. The country offers a more affordable alternative if you’re a US Citizen who cannot afford healthcare in your own country.
• Besides the low cost surgery offered in Mexico, its proximity to the United States adds to its appeal. The fact that it’s right next to the US, and can be crossed by land makes it a more feasible option than other locations.
• You can trust eye surgeons in Mexico to be able to answer to your needs – some of Mexico’s top hospitals are even JCI (Joint Commission International)-accredited.

Cataract surgery in Mexico could be just what you’re looking for, especially if you’re cash-strapped, and specifically considering affordable cataract surgery abroad.