Frequently Asked Questions | Jindal Eye Hospital

Answers to your vision questions

Cataract Surgery

01. What is a cataract, and when do I actually need surgery?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which usually develops gradually with age and causes blurred vision, glare, or faded colours. Surgery is recommended when the cloudiness begins to interfere with your daily activities such as reading, driving, or recognising faces. There is no need to wait for the cataract to “mature” — modern surgery is safe and effective at an early stage as well.

02. Is cataract surgery painful, and how long does it take?

The procedure is virtually painless. It is performed under numbing eye drops or a local anaesthetic, and most patients feel only mild pressure. The surgery itself usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes, and you can return home the same day.

03. Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

This depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) chosen. Standard monofocal lenses give clear distance vision but you may need reading glasses, while multifocal or premium lenses can reduce dependence on glasses for both distance and near. We help you select the lens best suited to your eyes and lifestyle.

Contoura LASIK Surgery

01. How is Contoura Vision different from ordinary LASIK?

Contoura Vision is an advanced, topography-guided form of LASIK that maps thousands of unique points on the surface of your cornea. This allows the treatment to be customised to your individual eye, often giving sharper, higher-quality vision than conventional LASIK.

02. Am I a suitable candidate for Contoura LASIK?

Suitable candidates are generally above 18 years of age with a stable spectacle number for at least a year, adequate corneal thickness, and no active eye disease. A detailed pre-operative evaluation, including corneal mapping, is done to confirm your suitability before we recommend the procedure.

03. Is the procedure painful, and how soon can I resume normal activities?

The procedure is quick and nearly painless, performed with numbing drops, and takes only a few minutes per eye. Most patients notice improved vision within a day, and can return to routine activities within a couple of days, while avoiding rubbing the eyes, swimming, and dusty environments for the period we advise.

Pterygium Surgery

01. What is a pterygium, and is it dangerous?

A pterygium is a fleshy, triangular growth of tissue on the white of the eye that can extend onto the cornea. It is usually non-cancerous and linked to prolonged sun, dust, and wind exposure, but if it grows over the cornea it can affect vision and cause discomfort, redness, or a gritty sensation.

02. When is surgery needed, and what does it involve?

Surgery is advised when the pterygium grows towards the centre of the cornea, threatens vision, causes persistent irritation, or is cosmetically bothersome. The growth is removed and the area is typically covered with a small graft of the eye’s own tissue, which significantly lowers the chance of it returning.

03. Will the pterygium come back after surgery?

Recurrence is possible but greatly reduced with modern graft techniques compared to older methods. Protecting your eyes from sunlight with UV-blocking sunglasses and avoiding excessive dust exposure further helps prevent it from returning.

Glaucoma Treatment

01. What is glaucoma, and why is it called the "silent thief of sight"?

Glaucoma is a group of conditions where raised eye pressure (or other factors) damages the optic nerve, gradually leading to loss of vision. It is called the silent thief of sight because it usually causes no pain or early symptoms, and significant vision can be lost before a person notices, which is why regular check-ups are so important.

02. Can glaucoma be cured, and how is it treated?

Glaucoma cannot be reversed or fully cured, but it can be effectively controlled to prevent further damage. Treatment options include eye drops, laser procedures, and surgery, chosen based on the type and severity, with the goal of lowering eye pressure and preserving the vision you have.

03. Is vision lost to glaucoma recoverable?

Unfortunately, vision already lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, which is why early detection is vital. With timely diagnosis and consistent treatment, the remaining vision can usually be protected for life, so we encourage routine eye-pressure screening, especially for those above 40 or with a family history.

Squint Management

01. Is a squint only a cosmetic problem?

No — while a squint (misaligned eyes) does affect appearance, it can also lead to double vision and, in children, a “lazy eye” (amblyopia) where the brain ignores the weaker eye. Early assessment is important to protect both vision and eye alignment.

02. How is a squint treated?

Treatment depends on the cause and age of the patient, and may include spectacles, eye exercises, patching for lazy eye, or surgery to align the eye muscles. We evaluate each patient thoroughly to recommend the most appropriate combination.

03. Can adults also be treated for squint, or is it only for children?

Squint can be successfully corrected in adults as well, not just children. Adult squint surgery can improve eye alignment, restore confidence, and in many cases relieve double vision, so it is never “too late” to seek treatment.

Kid's Eye Clinic

01. At what age should my child have their first eye examination?

Children should ideally have an eye check in infancy, again before starting school (around 3 to 4 years), and periodically thereafter. Many vision problems in children have no obvious symptoms, so early screening helps detect issues while they are most treatable.

02. What are the signs that my child may have a vision problem?

Watch for frequent eye rubbing, sitting very close to the television, holding books too near, squinting or tilting the head, complaints of headaches, or poor concentration in school. If you notice any of these, an eye examination is recommended.

03. Can anything be done to slow down rising spectacle numbers in my child?

Yes. With increasing screen time, childhood myopia (short-sightedness) is becoming more common, but its progression can often be slowed. Measures such as more outdoor play, the 20-20-20 rule for screen breaks, and specific treatments like myopia-control spectacles, lenses, or eye drops can help — our paediatric eye clinic guides parents on the right approach.

High Power Number Correction Surgery – ICL/IPCL

01. What are ICL and IPCL, and how are they different from LASIK?

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) and IPCL (Implantable Phakic Contact Lens) are tiny, soft lenses that are placed inside the eye to correct high spectacle numbers, without removing the eye’s natural lens. Unlike LASIK, which reshapes the cornea, these lenses are ideal for patients with very high power, thin corneas, or dry eyes who may not be suitable for laser surgery. The result is clear vision with a lens that works quietly inside the eye and is not felt or seen.

02. Who is a good candidate for ICL/IPCL surgery?

This surgery suits adults, usually between 18 and 45 years, with high myopia (minus power), hyperopia, or astigmatism, and a stable spectacle number. It is especially helpful for those whose power is too high for LASIK or whose corneas are too thin. A detailed eye evaluation, including measurements of the eye’s internal dimensions, is done to confirm your suitability.

03. Is the lens permanent, and can it be removed later?

The lens is designed to stay in the eye long-term and provide stable, clear vision. At the same time, one of its advantages is that it is removable — if your needs change in the future, an eye surgeon can take it out or replace it. It does not require any maintenance and does not damage the natural structures of the eye.

Retina & Diabetic Eye Care

01. How does diabetes affect my eyes?

Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels of the retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy, which is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults. In its early stages it often has no symptoms, so vision can be silently affected before you notice any change. This is why every person with diabetes should have a thorough retina examination at least once a year, even if their vision feels normal.

02. What are the warning signs of a retina problem?

Watch for symptoms such as sudden floaters or dark spots, flashes of light, a curtain or shadow across your vision, distorted or wavy vision, or a sudden drop in sight. Any of these warrant prompt examination, as early treatment of retinal conditions gives the best chance of preserving vision.

03. How are retina and diabetic eye problems treated?

Treatment depends on the condition and its severity, and may include laser therapy, injections inside the eye, or surgery in advanced cases. Equally important is good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, along with regular follow-up, which together help protect your sight over the long term.

Squint Clinic

01. What causes a squint, and is it only seen in children?

A squint, or misalignment of the eyes, can be caused by an imbalance in the eye muscles, refractive errors, or sometimes nerve-related issues. While it is most often noticed in childhood, it can also develop in adults following illness or injury, or persist from childhood. Both children and adults can be evaluated and treated at our squint clinic.

02. Why is early treatment of squint important in children?

In children, an untreated squint can lead to a “lazy eye” (amblyopia), where the brain begins to ignore the input from the misaligned eye, causing permanent weak vision if not corrected in time. Early assessment allows treatment during the years when vision is still developing, giving the best possible outcome for both alignment and eyesight.

03. What treatment options are available for a squint?

Depending on the cause and the patient’s age, treatment may include glasses, eye exercises, patching of the stronger eye for lazy eye, or surgery to balance the eye muscles. After a detailed evaluation, we recommend the most suitable approach, and squint surgery in both children and adults is a safe and well-established procedure.

Cornea Clinic

01. What is the cornea, and which conditions affect it?

The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye that helps focus light for sharp vision. Common conditions affecting it include infections, injuries, dry eye, and keratoconus, a disorder where the cornea gradually thins and bulges into a cone shape. Because the cornea is so important for clear sight, any persistent redness, pain, watering, or blurring deserves a proper examination.

02. What is keratoconus, and how is it treated?

Keratoconus is a progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, often appearing in the teenage years or early adulthood, and causing distorted or blurred vision. Treatment options range from special spectacles and contact lenses to a procedure called corneal collagen cross-linking (C3R), which strengthens the cornea and helps halt the progression. Detecting it early is key to preserving vision and avoiding more advanced treatment.

03. When is a corneal transplant needed?

A corneal transplant may be advised when the cornea becomes severely scarred, damaged, or clouded due to disease, injury, or advanced keratoconus, and vision can no longer be improved by other means. Modern techniques allow surgeons to replace only the affected layers of the cornea in many cases, leading to faster recovery. Our cornea clinic carefully assesses each patient to decide whether a transplant is necessary.